Former presidential candidates eye Senate comebacks
BY LISA HAGEN - 02/12/17 07:30 AM EST
A handful of former presidential candidates are testing the waters for 2018 Senate races.
Carly Fiorina, who ran for president in 2016, earlier this week expressed interest in challenging Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, the former Democratic vice presidential nominee. And in Utah, the GOP field could be lush with ex-presidential candidates if GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch retires. Jon Huntsman, a 2012 GOP candidate, could run for the seat, as could 2016 independent candidate Evan McMullin. Even Mitt Romney, the GOP’s 2012 nominee, hasn’t ruled anything out.
Former presidential candidates have a huge advantage coming into a Senate race, having already created a national profile and a fundraising network.
Utah’s Senate race appears ripe for opportunity, even though Hatch, the longest-serving GOP senator in history, has kept his cards close to his chest about whether he’ll retire at the end of his term in 2018.
Hatch is considering running for an eighth term, even though he previously said in 2012 that he’d retire in 2018. Potential Senate contenders have said their candidacy would be contingent on his decision, but Utah political observers expect a contested primary regardless.
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http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/319041-former-presidential-candidates-eye-senate-comebacks
