2012 United States Senate election in Utah
The 2012 United States Senate election in Utah took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and as various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch won re-election to a seventh term against former state Senator and IBM executive, Scott Howell the Democratic candidate. This would be the last time Hatch was elected to the Senate before his retirement in 2018.
Background
won re-election to a sixth term after winning 62.5% of the vote against Pete Ashdown in the 2006 U.S. senatorial election in Utah. Tea Party activists have targeted Hatch for a primary challenge, similar to the victory of Mike Lee over Bob Bennett in the 2010 Utah Senatorial election.Republican nomination
Convention
Candidates
;Declared- Tim Aalders, radio talk show host and former business manager
- Dale Ash, retired sales manager
- Arlan Brunson, small business owner
- David Chiu
- Kevin Fisk, small business owner
- Jeremy Friedbaum, small business owner and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
- Orrin Hatch, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Chris Herrod, State Representative
- William "Dub" Lawrence
- Dan Liljenquist, former State Senator
- Jason Chaffetz, U.S. Representative
- Jon Huntsman, Jr., former Ambassador to China, former Governor of Utah, former Ambassador to Singapore and candidate for President in 2012
- David Kirkham, co-founder of the Utah tea party
- Morgan Philpot, former state representative and 2010 congressional candidate
- Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General
Campaign
In June 2011, prominent conservative radio talk show host Mark Levin endorsed Hatch. The fiscally conservative 5014 organization Club for Growth encouraged Chaffetz to run. The group cited Hatch's support for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, State Children's Health Insurance Program, No Child Left Behind Act, Bridge to Nowhere, and other votes among the reasons why they opposed his re-election. In an interview with Politico, Chaffetz stated, "After 34 years of service, I think most Utahans want a change. They want to thank him for his service, but it's time to move on. And for me personally, I think he's been on the wrong side of a host of major issues." The congressman cited Hatch's vote in favor of Equal Opportunity to Serve Act and the Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993. However, Chaffetz ultimately decided against a run.
Endorsements
Polling
In a January 2012 UtahPolicy.com poll of 1,291 Salt Lake County Republican caucus participants, 42% went for Hatch, 23% Liljenquist, 5% Herrod, and 30% were undecided. In a January 28, 2012 straw poll of 194 votes at the Box Elder County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner, 42% went for Liljenquist, 41% for Hatch, and 17% for Herrod.Results
Primary
Candidates
- Orrin Hatch, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Dan Liljenquist, former state senator
Campaign
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Democratic nomination
Candidates
;Declared- Pete Ashdown, businessman and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006
- Scott Howell, former state senator and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000
Results
General election
Candidates
- Orrin Hatch, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Scott Howell, former state senator and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000
- Shaun McCausland
- Daniel Geery
- Bill Barron
Debates
- , October 17, 2012 - C-SPAN
Fundraising
Top contributors
Top industries
Predictions
Polling
Hypothetical polling | - | - | - | - | - | - |
;with Dan Liljenquist Results |