SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah is leaning toward running for re-election next year despite saying previously this term would be his last.
Hatch told CNN on Thursday that he’s planning on running “right now.” The senator’s staff later sent out a statement saying Hatch is keeping all options open but hasn’t made a final decision.
Hatch says President Donald Trump wants him to stick around to get things done.
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The 82-year-old is the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history. He has been in office since 1977.
Hatch said four years ago that his current term would be his last, leading several Utah politicians to prepare to make a run at a rare open Senate seat.
One of those potential challengers, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, this week accepted a post in the Trump administration as the U.S. ambassador to Russia.
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