This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Washington • Sen. Orrin Hatch met with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump on Thursday, saying he'll do what he can to help him win, while Hatch's Utah colleague Mike Lee said he is not sure whether he will back Trump because he "scares me to death."
Hatch, who had previously backed now-vanquished presidential candidates former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and then Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, met privately with Trump after his sit-down with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Ryan later told reporters that while he and Trump have their differences, he is confident "there's a great opportunity to unify our party and win this fall."
Hatch also noted differences and expressed hope that Trump will "soften some of his rhetoric" and act in a manner "worthy of a presidential nominee."
"Many constituents in my home state of Utah have serious reservations about Mr. Trump," Hatch said in a statement. "To help unify the party and broaden his appeal, I hope Donald will listen to policymakers and carefully consider his approach to issues like international trade, religious liberty and entitlement reform."
Hatch added that he would help guide Trump on future Supreme Court nominees and that it is vital that the country not elect former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as president.
Lee, on the other hand, told constituents in a Web-based town hall-style meeting Wednesday night that he has not supported Trump "up to this point" and has not endorsed him. Lee backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has suspended his campaign.
"I have some concerns with him," Lee said of Trump, according to the Washington Examiner. "He scares me to death; so does Hillary Clinton. There is no easy choice right now."
Lee said he would continue to watch the race, and "I'll make the decision as best I can, but I'm not there yet."