Out With the Old. Now What?

Moments ago, Utah senator Orrin Hatch announced that he will not be seeking reelection for his senate seat. The 83 year old senator has been serving in the senate for over 40 years, beginning his first term as a senator in 1977.

Hatch had been pressured by President Trump to run one last time to block former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney from gaining the spot. This is due to Romney's consistent disagreement with the President on many issues, the latest and most controversial one being Roy Moore's run for senate, in which Romney was opposed to Moore, and the President had backed Moore.

Romney is currently the most popular candidate for Hatch's spot, as 44% of Utahan's favor Romney. Even if Hatch decided to run again, his popularity is very low. 75% of Utahan's said that Hatch should not run again, and only 8% said that they would vote for him if the election were held tomorrow.

“It would be difficult to defeat Mitt Romney if he were running here,” said David Hansen, a longtime Utah Republican strategist and chairman of Mr. Hatch’s political organization.

He told Romney in private that he has been nervous about leaving the seat since he has held for the last 40 years. Recently, he has been nudged by White House officials to remain in the Senate.

One large factor in Hatch's current unpopularity is his old age and potentially decaying health. Hatch told the press that, "I’m older but you know, nothing stops me. I keep going. I get a lot done here." He is not deterred by his age, but the public doesn't seem to agree.

In spite of his seeming reluctance towards leaving, Hatch has finally decided he will be stepping down. With Hatch gone and Romney likely in, tensions between Congress and the White House will continue to grow.

With Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and Alabama, the election of yet another Republican opposed to Trump, along with predictions saying that there will be a "wave of Democratic victories in the 2018 midterm elections," it is highly unlikely that anymore major legislative accomplishments will be achieved after the midterm elections.