Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, reiterated Friday that he still plans on running for re-election in 2018, but said his wife’s unease is giving him “pause” as he makes a final decision about another campaign.
“Right now, I intend to run. But you know, Elaine is not real enthusiastic about it, which causes me to pause a little bit,” Hatch said, according to the Associated Press.
“But, I’m chairman of the finance committee, the most powerful committee in the whole Congress and we’re doing work that has never been done before and that needs to be done,” he continued.
Hatch, 83, has served in the Senate since 1977, making him the second-longest tenured senator (behind Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.) and has served as Senate pro tempore since 2015.
The longtime Utah Republican would be seeking his eighth term in the Senate if he launches a bid, even though he said in 2012 that his seventh term would be his last.
One name that has been floated for his seat is 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney; Hatch himself said in April that he would step aside if an “outstanding person” ran and declared that Romney would be “perfect.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also revealed soon after that he had spoken to Romney about a potential run. However, Hatch said Romney told him he wouldn’t run for the seat if it became available, but reiterated that he wished Romney would.
