Mitt Romney eyes potential Utah Senate campaign

Former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is reportedly considering a Senate run in Utah.

The Atlantic's McKay Coppins first reported Romney's mullings on Thursday, saying Romney has "spent recent weeks actively discussing a potential 2018 Senate bid with a range of high-level Republicans in both Utah and Washington." Coppins cited six sources familiar with the situation.

Romney served as the 70th governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 before running for president in both 2008 and 2012. Romney was openly critical of President Trump as the 2016 election progressed, but scaled back his vocal opposition after Trump won the presidency and considered Romney for U.S. secretary of state.

Romney has said that he would only consider the bid if and when he has the blessing of Sen. Orrin Hatch -- the Republican elected who currently holds the seat for which Romney would be running.

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It seems the run would be a no-brainer for the former politician who won Utah by 48 points in his 2012 presidential run. He was then the first Mormon ever to become a major-party candidate for President.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commented on the rumors of Romney's bid during a Friday press availability, saying he's had "conversations" with Romney about the subject.

"I've had some conversations with Mitt Romney," McConnell said on Friday. "Obviously, I'm an Orrin Hatch supporter. Orrin Hatch has to decide what he wants to do. If he wants to run again, I'm for him."