Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel believes that even though her uncle Mitt Romney might be interested in running for Senate from Utah, incumbent Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, deserves deference.
McDaniel was responding to a recent report that Romney is looking into the possibility of running for Hatch’s seat if the Utah Republican decides against running for an eighth term in office. Hatch said earlier this week that he is planning on running again, but left the door open to retire if either he or his wife experience health problems.
“It’s up to Orrin Hatch,” McDaniel told the Washington Examiner in an interview Thursday, noting that her husband, Patrick McDaniel, used to work in Hatch’s office.
“I love my uncle,” she said. “I think it’s hard to have those discussions until Sen. Hatch makes his decision. So out of respect for him, I want him to make his decision, and then we can talk about other candidates.”
Since early this year, speculation has surrounded Hatch’s intentions for 2018 as multiple high-profile Utah Republicans have been mentioned as potential candidates for the seat if he declines to run again. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman had been floated as a possible candidate, however, he is slated to take over as U.S. ambassador to Russia.
Romney’s name cropped up after Hatch told National Journal that he would be willing to step aside if the former Massachusetts governor were to launch a bid.
“If I could get a really outstanding person to run for my position, I might very well consider [retiring],” Hatch said, adding, “Mitt Romney would be perfect.”
Hatch has since suggested that he still plans to run for re-election.
McDaniel replaced White House chief of staff Reince Priebus as party chair in January after serving as Michigan GOP chairwoman during the 2016 cycle.
