Liz Cheney should not challenge Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi in next year's GOP primary, Sen. Orrin Hatch tells Newsmax TV in an exclusive interview.
"I like Dick Cheney, and I love Liz Cheney as well," Hatch tells Newsmax. "I love both of them, but Lynn should not get into this race because you can't find a better senator than Mike Enzi."
Cheney, a political commentator and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, said earlier this month that she would challenge Enzi, who is Wyoming's senior U.S. senator. Enzi is seeking his fourth six-year term.
Her move has drawn criticism from some Republicans. Cheney recently moved to Wyoming from Virginia — and she trails Enzi in recent polls of the state's voters.
"He's doing a terrific job. He's a really fine conservative. He's on my finance committee," Hatch, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, tells Newsmax. "I know him really well. He's everything that Wyoming wants in a senator — and he'll win this election, and he should.
"When conservatives start having combat among themselves, that's a sure loser. I wish Liz well because I love her and appreciate her, but she should not have done this.
"I'm for Sen. Enzi," Hatch adds. "No question about that."
Editor's Note: See the full Newsmax interview with Orrin Hatch, and excerpts: