Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch earlier this month said it was his plan to run for an eighth term in the 2018 midterms, but now says he would retire "if I could get a really outstanding person to run for my position," he said in an interview with the National Journal.
"Mitt Romney would be perfect," said the Republican stalwart Hatch, who just turned 83.
Hatch said he's broached the idea with the former presidential candidate.
In an interview earlier this month, Hatch said it was his plan to seek another term, telling CNN that President Donald Trump's "pitch is he needs me."
However, according to a poll, nearly 80 percent of registered voters in Utah want Hatch to retire.