Family business: Son of late Sen. Orrin Hatch files to run for seat once held by his father

Brent Orrin Hatch filed Tuesday to run for Senate in Utah, looking to follow in his late father’s footsteps.

“I am not a professional politician,” he said in a statement. “I left Washington at an early age. I have worked for over 33 years here in Utah as a lawyer protecting the rights of individuals and companies.”

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Despite spending much of his life working in Utah, he emphasized the “insider’s knowledge” he has from his time “serving Presidents Reagan and Bush in the White House.”

Former Sen. Orrin Hatch spent 42 years in the Senate, making him one of the longest-serving Republican senators in U.S. history. At one point, Orrin Hatch rose to the role of president pro tempore. He retired in 2019 from the legislative body and died in 2022 at 88 years old.

Brent Hatch is seeking to fill the vacancy being left by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) in 2024. The senator announced recently he wouldn’t be seeking reelection to the body.

Romney took over Orrin Hatch’s Senate seat after being elected in 2018, and if Brent Hatch were to win, he would be taking the same seat his father once held.

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Brent Hatch enjoys significant name identification in Utah due to his father’s enduring legacy and his own legal success.

But he isn’t the only Republican vying for the chance to fill Romney’s seat. Several others have announced bids, including former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs.