The Atlantic

Orrin Hatch Tells Friends He Plans to Retire

Mitt Romney has privately told allies that if the Utah senator follows through, he plans to run to replace him.
Source: Jim Urquhart / Reuters

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—Senator Orrin Hatch has privately told allies in Utah that he is planning to retire at the end of his term next year, and if he does, Mitt Romney intends to run for his seat, according to five sources familiar with the situation.

“Nothing has changed since published a carbon copy of this same story in April, likely with the same anonymous sources who were no more informed on the Senator's thinking than they seem to be now,” said Dave Hansen, a spokesperson for Hatch. “Senator Hatch is focused on leading the Senate's efforts to

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