2012 United States Senate election in Utah Turnout 55.4% (voting eligible)[1]
County resultsHatch : 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%Howell : 40–50%
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 former state Senator and IBM executive, Scott Howell the Democratic candidate.[2] This would be the last time Hatch was elected to the Senate before his retirement in 2018.
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 have targeted Hatch for a primary challenge, similar to the victory of Mike Lee over Bob Bennett in the 2010 Utah Senatorial 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
Mike Crapo , U.S. Senator (R-ID)[21]
Sam Brownback , Governor of Kansas and former U.S. Senator (R-KS)[21]
Mitt Romney , former Governor of Massachusetts , former President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics , and presidential candidate in 2008 and 2012 [21]
Ken Blackwell , member of Board of Directors of Club for Growth and former Ohio Secretary of State [21]
C. Boyden Gray , Co-Chairman of FreedomWorks Foundation Board and former White House Counsel [21]
Sal Russo, co-founder of Tea Party Express [21]
Sean Hannity , prominent conservative radio and television host, author, and political commentator[21]
Mark Levin , conservative talk radio host[21]
Hugh Hewitt , conservative talk radio host[21]
GOProud [22]
Dan Liljenquist
Stephen H. Urquhart , state senator[23]
Howard A. Stephenson , state senator[23]
Stuart Reid, state senator[23]
Jerry Stevenson, state senator[23]
Stuart Adams, state senator[23]
Todd Weiler, state senator[23]
Margaret Dayton , state senator[23]
Wayne L. Niederhauser , state senator[23]
Ralph Okerlund, state senator[23]
Casey Anderson, state senator[23]
Lyle W. Hillyard , state senator[23]
Aaron Osmond , state senator[23]
Dave Hinkins, state senator[23]
Kevin Cromer, former state representative[23]
Michelle Malkin , conservative author and commentator[23]
Gun Owners of America [24] [25]
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
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
Mitt Romney , 2012 Republican Presidential nominee and former governor of Massachusetts[21]
Sarah Palin , former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee[21] [29]
Jon Kyl , U.S. Senator (R-AZ)[21]
Mark Shurtleff , State Attorney General[21]
John L. Valentine , state senator[21]
Daniel W. Thatcher, state senator[21]
Mike Noel, state representative[21]
Norm Bangerter , former governor of Utah[21]
James V. Hansen , former U.S. Representative (R-UT)[21]
Dave Steele, former state senator[21]
Brett Tolman , former U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah [21]
Truman Hunt, CEO of Nu Skin Enterprises [21]
Josh James , CEO of DOMO[21]
Scott Anderson, CEO of Zions Bank [21]
Fred Lampropoulos, CEO of Merit Medical Systems [21]
LaVell Edwards , former American football coach of Brigham Young University [21]
Ron McBride , former American football coach of Utah State University and Weber State University [21]
Sean Hannity , Political commentator[21]
Mark Levin , Political commentator and President of Landmark Legal Foundation [21]
Steve Forbes , editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine and CEO of Forbes Inc.[21]
Sal Russo, co-leader of the Tea Party Express [21]
Gary Herbert , Governor of Utah[30]
National Rifle Association [31]
Polling
Results
Democratic nomination
Candidates
Declared
Results
Howell defeated Ashdown 63%-37% to win and avoid a primary.[37]
General election
Candidates
Debates
Fundraising
Candidate (party)
Receipts
Disbursements
Cash on hand
Debt
Scott Howell (D)
$421,086
$420,779
$306
$0
Orrin Hatch (R)
$11,577,851
$13,140,209
$779,719
$515,845
William Barron (I)
$17,157
$14,116
$3,038
$0
Source: Federal Election Commission [39] [40] [41]
Top contributors
Scott Howell
Contribution
Orrin Hatch
Contribution
William Barron
Contribution
International Union of Operating Engineers
$10,000
OC Tanner Inc
$72,010
Peace River Citrus Products
$2,000
Altaview Orthodontics
$5,000
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
$67,500
Cirque Property
$1,000
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
$5,000
Cerberus Capital Management
$65,000
International Association of Iron Workers
$5,000
Fresenius Medical Care
$65,500
Intermountain Healthcare National Education Association
$5,000
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
$54,500
Shurtleff Construction
$5,000
Ernst & Young
$53,000
St Mark's Hospital
$5,000
PricewaterhouseCoopers
$42,008
United Steelworkers
$5,000
Herbalife International
$41,900
Sutter Health
$4,500
Marriott International
$39,500
IBM Corporation
$3,150
Apollo Global Management
$39,000
Source: Center for Responsive Politics [42]
Top industries
Scott Howell
Contribution
Orrin Hatch
Contribution
William Barron
Contribution
Retired
$43,100
Financial Institutions
$1,113,746
Retired
$4,050
Health Professionals
$17,000
Pharmaceuticals /Health Products
$834,601
Agribusiness
$2,000
Building Trade Unions
$15,000
Lobbyists
$508,567
Real Estate
$1,000
Hospitals /Nursing Homes
$14,500
Insurance
$495,968
Education
$750
Lawyers /Law Firms
$12,250
Lawyers/Law Firms
$479,871
Misc Business
$500
Industrial Unions
$10,000
Health Professionals
$447,415
General Contractors
$7,500
Real Estate
$412,394
Automotive
$5,000
Health Services /HMOs
$396,132
Public Sector Unions
$5,000
Leadership PACs
$394,550
High-Tech Industry
$4,900
Oil & Gas
$391,878
Source: Center for Responsive Politics [43]
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch (R)
Scott Howell (D)
Other/ Undecided
Deseret News/KSL-TV
June 15–21, 2012
1,228
±2.8%
63%
29%
8%
Utah State University
October 8–13, 2012
n/a
±7.6%
67%
24%
9%
Key Research
October 9–13, 2012
500
±4.4%
61%
22%
17%
Deseret News/KSL
October 26 – November 1, 2012
870
±3.4%
63%
26%
11%
Hypothetical polling
with Dan Liljenquist
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Dan Liljenquist (R)
Scott Howell (D)
Other/ Undecided
Deseret News/KSL-TV
June 15–21, 2012
1228
±2.8%
48%
34%
18%
with Jason Chaffetz
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Jason Chaffetz (R)
Jan Graham (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
732
±3.6%
53%
34%
14%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Jason Chaffetz (R)
Sam Granato (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
732
±3.6%
54%
33%
14%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Jason Chaffetz (R)
Jim Matheson (D)
Undecided
Deseret News/KSL-TV
June 13–16, 2011
406
±5.0%
46%
45%
8%
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
732
±3.6%
42%
47%
11%
Mason-Dixon
August 8–10, 2011
625
±4.0%
49%
43%
8%
with Orrin Hatch
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch (R)
Jim Matheson (D)
Undecided
Deseret News/KSL-TV
June 13–16, 2011
406
±5.0%
47%
47%
6%
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
732
±3.6%
44%
45%
11%
Mason-Dixon
August 8–10, 2011
625
±4.0%
48%
43%
9%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch (R)
Jan Graham (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
732
±3.6%
55%
34%
12%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch (R)
Sam Granato (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
732
±3.6%
56%
31%
13%
Republican primary
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch
Jason Chaffetz
Undecided
Deseret News/KSL-TV
June 13–16, 2011
406
±5.0%
47%
44%
10%
Public Policy Polling
July 8–10, 2011
406
±4.9%
43%
47%
10%
Mason-Dixon
August 8–10, 2011
305
±5.7%
49%
39%
12%
Results
See also
References
^ 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 .
^ "Sen. Orrin Hatch forced into primary for first time since '76, faces Dan Liljenquist in June" . www.deseretnews.com . April 21, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2012 .
^ a b Weiner, Rachel (February 9, 2011). "Orrin Hatch courts tea party activists, Tea Party Express divided" . The Washington Post . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ a b c d "Utah Republican Party Candidates List" .[permanent dead link ]
^ "L.A. Brunson Campaign Interview and Announcement" . K-Talk Radio . October 25, 2011.
^ a b c d e "Election Results: U.S. Senate Candidates" . Utah Republican Party . April 21, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Miller, Sean J. (December 8, 2010). "Sen. Hatch: 'I intend to run, and I intend to win' " . The Hill . Retrieved December 11, 2010 .
^ Gehrke, Robert (January 6, 2012). "Rep. Chris Herrod joins campaign to defeat Orrin Hatch" . The Salt Lake Tribune .
^ Gehrke, Robert (January 4, 2012). "Liljenquist is in against Hatch" . The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved January 9, 2012 .
^ Catanese, David; Sherman, Jake (August 22, 2011). "Jason Chaffetz is out, but Orrin Hatch isn't in the clear" . Politico . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Trygstad, Kyle (August 22, 2011). "Chaffetz Passes on Hatch Challenge" . Roll Call . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ 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 .
^ Gehrke, Robert (January 6, 2012). "Tea Party leader Kirkham ready to run for governor" . The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved January 9, 2012 .
^ Hesterman, Billy (December 1, 2011). "Philpot to challenge Herbert in 2012" . Daily Herald . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Roche, Lisa Riley (June 9, 2011). "Two Utah political heavyweights eyeing key races" . Deseret News . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ "Mike Lee: Orrin Hatch Not Getting My Endorsement In 2012 Primary" . Huffington Post . February 11, 2011.
^ Gehrke, Robert (June 1, 2011). "Sources say Chaffetz is in against Hatch" . The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ "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 .
^ Keller, Barney (June 1, 2011). "Run, Jason, Run!" . Club for Growth . Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Sherman, Jake (June 3, 2011). "Jason Chaffetz leaning toward challenging Orrin Hatch" . Politico . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Endorsements & Quotes" . Orrin Hatch for Utah . Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ "GOProud Announces U.S. House Endorsements - GOProud, Inc" . October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Endorsements" . Dan Liljenquist - Conservative for U.S. Senate . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ "Issues" . Dan Liljenquist - Conservative for U.S. Senate . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ "2012 GOA-PVF Candidates" . Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund . Archived from the original on December 22, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ Allahpundit (April 21, 2012). "Orrin Hatch fails to clinch GOP nomination in Utah — by 0.9%" . Hot Air . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Scoop, The Right (May 23, 2012). "Sarah Palin announces endorsement of Orrin Hatch for US Senate" . The Right Scoop .
^ Davidson, Lee (June 6, 2012). "Herbert endorses Hatch, calls him 'best choice for Utah' " . The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved June 7, 2012 .
^ "Utah" . National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund . Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012 .
^ Hartman, Rachel Rose (June 15, 2012). "TSantorum endorses Hatch's opponent in Utah primary" . ABC News . Retrieved June 22, 2012 .
^ "FreedomWorks for America Endorses Conservative Candidate Dan Liljenquist for Utah Senate" . FreedomWorks . April 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ "2016 Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates" . Election Hub .
^ Roche, Lisa Riley (November 8, 2011). "Pete Ashdown to try again to unseat Sen. Hatch" . Deseret News . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Gehrke, Robert (March 15, 2012). "From president to school board, candidates file for Utah elections" . The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ Cortez, Marjorie (April 21, 2012). "Utah Democrats pick Scott Howell as candidate for U.S. Senate" . Deseret News . Retrieved May 11, 2012 .
^ a b c 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 .
^ "Howell Campaign Finances" .[permanent dead link ]
^ "Hatch Campaign Finances" .[permanent dead link ]
^ "Barron Campaign Finances" .[permanent dead link ]
^ Center for Responsive Politics . "Top Contributors 2012 Race: Utah Senate" . opensecrets.org.
^ Center for Responsive Politics . "Top Industries 2012 Race: Utah Senate" . opensecrets.org.
^ "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2012 Senate" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2012 Senate Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ "2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012" . Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018 .
^ https://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/election-results
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