2012_United_States_Senate_election_in_Utah

2012 United States Senate election in Utah

2012 United States Senate election in Utah

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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 the Democratic candidate, former state Senator and IBM executive Scott Howell, in a rematch of the 2000 Senate election.[2] This would be the last time Hatch was elected to the Senate before his retirement in 2018.

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...

Background

Orrin Hatch 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 targeted Hatch for a primary challenge, similar to the victory of Mike Lee over Bob Bennett in the 2010 election.[3]

Republican nomination

Convention

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Campaign

In 2006, incumbent Orrin Hatch won re-election to a sixth term. In 2008, Chaffetz defeated the incumbent Republican U.S. Representative, Chris Cannon, in the 2008 primary for Utah's 3rd congressional district. In 2010, Mike Lee defeated Bob Bennett in the 2010 Utah Senate election.[3] In March 2011, just-elected U.S. Senator Mike Lee said he will not endorse Hatch in the primary.[16] In May 2011, Chaffetz told several Utah political insiders that he plans to run. He said he won't make an official decision until after Labor Day of 2011.[17]

In June 2011, prominent conservative radio talk show host Mark Levin endorsed Hatch.[18] The fiscally conservative 501(c)4 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.[19] 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.[20] However, Chaffetz ultimately decided against a run.

Endorsements

Orrin Hatch
Dan Liljenquist

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.[26] 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.[27]

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
More information Party, Candidate ...

Primary

Candidates

  • Orrin Hatch, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Dan Liljenquist, former state senator

Campaign

After the convention, Hatch had $3 million more than Liljenquist.[28]

Endorsements

Orrin Hatch
Dan Liljenquist

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...

Results

Results by county:
Map legend
  •   Hatch—>90%
  •   Hatch—80–90%
  •   Hatch—70–80%
  •   Hatch—60–70%
  •   Hatch—50–60%
More information Party, Candidate ...

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Declared

Results

Howell defeated Ashdown 63%-37% to win and avoid a primary.[37]

More information Party, Candidate ...

General election

Candidates

Debates

Fundraising

More information Candidate (party), Receipts ...

Top contributors

More information Scott Howell, Contribution ...

Top industries

More information Scott Howell, Contribution ...

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Hypothetical polling
with Dan Liljenquist
with Jason Chaffetz
with Orrin Hatch
Republican primary

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

By congressional district

Hatch won all 4 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.[49]

More information District, Hatch ...

See also


References

  1. Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  2. Weiner, Rachel (February 9, 2011). "Orrin Hatch courts tea party activists, Tea Party Express divided". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  3. Miller, Sean J. (December 8, 2010). "Sen. Hatch: 'I intend to run, and I intend to win'". The Hill. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  4. Gehrke, Robert (January 4, 2012). "Liljenquist is in against Hatch". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  5. Catanese, David; Sherman, Jake (August 22, 2011). "Jason Chaffetz is out, but Orrin Hatch isn't in the clear". Politico. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  6. Trygstad, Kyle (August 22, 2011). "Chaffetz Passes on Hatch Challenge". Roll Call. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  7. Burr, Thomas (February 6, 2012). "Jon Huntsman rules out another political bid – for now". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  8. Gehrke, Robert (January 6, 2012). "Tea Party leader Kirkham ready to run for governor". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  9. Hesterman, Billy (December 1, 2011). "Philpot to challenge Herbert in 2012". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  10. Roche, Lisa Riley (June 9, 2011). "Two Utah political heavyweights eyeing key races". Deseret News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  11. Gehrke, Robert (June 1, 2011). "Sources say Chaffetz is in against Hatch". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  12. "Key National Voice Endorses Orrin Hatch For Senate". Orrin Hatch for Utah. June 14, 2011. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  13. Keller, Barney (June 1, 2011). "Run, Jason, Run!". Club for Growth. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  14. Sherman, Jake (June 3, 2011). "Jason Chaffetz leaning toward challenging Orrin Hatch". Politico. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  15. "Endorsements & Quotes". Orrin Hatch for Utah. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  16. "GOProud Announces U.S. House Endorsements - GOProud, Inc". October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012.
  17. "Endorsements". Dan Liljenquist - Conservative for U.S. Senate. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  18. "Issues". Dan Liljenquist - Conservative for U.S. Senate. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  19. "2012 GOA-PVF Candidates". Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on December 22, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  20. Schott, Bryan (January 20, 2012). "UtahPolicy.com Poll: Salt Lake County Republicans Prefer Hatch over Liljenquist". Utah Policy. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  21. "Liljenquist, Herbert and Swallow lead straw poll results among Box Elder GOP". Cache Valley Daily. February 2, 2012. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  22. Allahpundit (April 21, 2012). "Orrin Hatch fails to clinch GOP nomination in Utah — by 0.9%". Hot Air. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  23. Scoop, The Right (May 23, 2012). "Sarah Palin announces endorsement of Orrin Hatch for US Senate". The Right Scoop. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012.
  24. Davidson, Lee (June 6, 2012). "Herbert endorses Hatch, calls him 'best choice for Utah'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  25. "Grades - Utah". National Rifle Association - Political Victory Fund. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  26. Hartman, Rachel Rose (June 15, 2012). "Santorum endorses Hatch's opponent in Utah primary". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  27. Roche, Lisa Riley (November 8, 2011). "Pete Ashdown to try again to unseat Sen. Hatch". Deseret News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  28. Cortez, Marjorie (April 21, 2012). "Utah Democrats pick Scott Howell as candidate for U.S. Senate". Deseret News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  29. Frandsen, Eric (March 15, 2012). "Hatch faces 9 challengers from within his own party". Cache Valley Daily. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  30. "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  31. "2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  32. "2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  33. "2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

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