Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is continuing to inch closer to running for a Utah Senate seat, Politico reports.
As speculation mounts that Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch will retire, Romney is continuing to meet with the state's major political donors and campaign for local candidates, according to Politico.
"Assuming Sen. Hatch retires, I hope Mitt runs," said conservative commentator Bill Kristol, who has talked with Romney. "He'd be a very good senator."
And others who have talked with Romney say the former Massachusetts governor, who now lives in Utah, is prepared to jump in. Romney has had conversations with key political figures, including Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and campaign donor Kem Gardnerf about a possible Senate bid, Politico said.
"I think he's giving it some serious consideration," said Salt Lake City real estate investor John Miller, who was national finance chairman on Romney's 2012 White House bid. "He vets these things very carefully."
Politico noted Romney had been critical of Donald Trump during the presidential campaign, but tensions between the two eased and Trump even considered nominating Romney for secretary of state.
Still, Trump has encouraged Hatch, 83, to seek re-election, Politico reported. But uncertainty persists over what Hatch plans to do, the website said.
If Hatch does decide not to run, Romney would emerge as the favorite in the race, Politico said.
"I don't think anybody would beat Mitt Romney if he decided to do it," said former Utah GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz.
And The Salt Lake Tribune, in an editorial in late October, called on Romney to run.
"Utah would be lucky if Romney decides to run," the newspaper said.
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