Orrin Hatch drops a bombshell
It was not unexpected.
Just minutes ago, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), the upper chamber’s President Pro Tempore and, in case you did not know it, fourth in line of presidential succession, announced his retirement from the Senate at the end of the present congressional session.
An announcement from Senator Orrin G. Hatch. #utpol pic.twitter.com/UeItaLjR3j
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) January 2, 2018
Hatch was the target of a withering editorial in his state’s most prominent paper, the Salt Lake Tribune, just about a full week ago. The opinion piece, ironically titled “Why Orrin Hatch is Utahn of the Year,” received a response from Hatch that left some scratching their heads but also looks like a bit of pointed trolling from Hatch.
There is, needless to say, already speculation that Mitt Romney may run for the seat.
But don’t rule out a run from freshman Republican congressman Evan McMullin, an outspoken critic of real estate mogul and reality-TV star Donald J. Trump who is already garnering a bipartisan base in his home state.
This will be a race to watch.
