Senator Orrin Hatch Announces Plan to Retire

An announcement from Senator Orrin G. Hatch. #utpol pic.twitter.com/UeItaLjR3j

— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) January 2, 2018

Orrin Hatch, the longest-serving Republican on the U.S. Senate, has just announced that he will step aside at the end of his current term.

The Senate Finance Committee chairman released a video statement on Twitter where he reflected on his extensive career in national politics. After cycling through his accomplishments and the praise he has received from President Trump, Hatch called himself a “fighter,” but also acknowledged “every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves.”

Hatch’s decision not to pursue re-election is bound to shake up Utah state politics, and it is also likely to generate intrigue over the rumors that Mitt Romney is thinking about running to take his place.

Watch above.

[Image via screengrab]

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