Orrin Hatch Bows Out!

Old buzzards retires. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is retiring. Republicans believe Mitt Romney and Mia Love will run for the seat.

Longtime Republican senator Orrin Hatch of Utah is retiring. It opens the door for Mitt Romney, a twice failed presidential and once failed senatorial candidate.

Hatch was instrumental in delaying (thereby denying) Barack Obama's nominees for confirmation. Hatch denied Merrick Garland his opportunity to become a Supreme Court justice. He quickly supported Neil Gorsuch when Donald J. Trump got into office.

An announcement from Senator Orrin G. Hatch. #utpol pic.twitter.com/UeItaLjR3j

— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) January 2, 2018

Utah is a strong Republican state. The Democrats are hoping to line up a candidate that appeals to young, non religious, Black, Native American and Hispanic residents.

The Church of the Latter Day Saints has a strong presence in the state. Mormons are typically Republican and staunchly conservative. They voted in droves to put a do nothing like Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in.

One more try. The failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney could run again for the Senate.

The announcement of Hatch's retirement will certainly open the field for a viable Republican candidate.

Romney who was instrumental in getting the Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City has residence there. He will leave his La Jolla, California home to take up residence and then announce his bid to replace Hatch.

There are potential candidates to run. Congresswoman Mia Love (R-UT) is a rising star within the Republican Party. She is an African American woman and could be the candidate that appeals to Utah.

Steve Bannon has not put his claws into this announcement but I am certain that he will claim victory in ridding Congress of its establishment members.

Rep. Mia Love (R-UT) walking barefooted from Capitol Hill.

Romney was a critic of Trump and called him a phony businessman and a charlatan.

Trump said that Romney is soft and should have went hard on Barack Obama.

Who knows what could happen in 2018?

Trump is unpopular in Utah but Republican support is strong and it will take a miracle for the Democrats to win that seat.