Dec. 7, 1999
A new poll shows signficant resistance among Utah voters for a fifth term in office for Utah Senator Orrin Hatch.
And while the senator's approval rating is high, a possible opponent in next year's Senate race also has an impressive showing.
Political Specialist Richard Piatt has the story.
Republican Senator Orrin Hatch is campaigning hard to dig himself out of the bottom of the pack in his run to become the nation's next president.
But here at home, he is enjoying a lead over his probable competitor for his Senate seat - Democratic Attorney General Jan Graham.
A KSL-Deseret News poll by Dan Jones and Associates says if the election were held today:
That is good news to the state Republican party, especially since Hatch is not even trying.
Scott Simpson/Utah Republican Party Executive Director: "I think it's very favorable. This campaign hasnot even begun for Senator Hatch."
Neither has Graham announced she will run.
Her political party is not surprised Hatch leads, but is encouraged by Graham's numbers.
Meghan Holbrook/Utah Democratic Party Chair: "You would think after 24 years that Senator Hatch would lead Jan Graham. But I'm cheered by the news. It shows that a lot of people are paying attention and it shows that they realize that Senator Hatch is bored being a Senator from Utah."
Both got high approval ratings:
Despite Hatch's victory, a high percentage say he should step aside.
Deserves re-election?
More than half say he has performed well enough to deserve re-election.
But more than 40 percent say he should give someone else the chance to do better.
But the Republican party says Utah needs the senator's seniority.
Scott Simpson/Utah Republican Party Executive Director: "He is powerful representation for us back there and most Utahns by virtue of the numbers we are seeing here today, play out that he's doing his job."
The poll did not measure what effect, if any, Hatch's presidential aspirations on his standing among voters, but political insiders Utahns eventually will expect Hatch to concentrate on the business of his home state.
Graham has already announced she will not run again for attorney general, but has made no decision about any plans to run for another office.
