United States Senate election in Utah, 2012

United States Senate election in Utah, 2012
Utah
November 6, 2012
Turnout 55.4% (voting eligible)[1]
 
Nominee Orrin Hatch Scott Howell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 595,972 275,880
Percentage 65.2% 30.2%

U.S. Senate election results map. Red denotes counties/districts won by Hatch. Blue denotes those won by Howell.
U.S. Senator before election

Orrin Hatch
Republican

 Elected U.S. Senator

Orrin Hatch
Republican

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]

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.

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.[21] 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.[22]

Endorsements

Results

Republican convention, 1st round results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Orrin Hatch 2,243 57.25
Republican Dan Liljenquist 1,108 28.28
Republican Chris Herrod 421 10.75
Republican Tim Aalders 78 1.99
Republican Dale Ash 18 0.46
Republican David Chiu 17 0.43
Republican Jeremy Friedbaum 15 0.38
Republican Loy Arlan Brunson 14 0.36
Republican Kevin Fisk 3 0.08
Republican Dub Lawrence 1 0.03
Total votes 3,918 100
Republican convention, 2nd round results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Orrin Hatch 2,313 59.19
Republican Dan Liljenquist 1,595 40.81
Total votes 3,908 100

Primary

Candidates

Campaign

After the convention, Hatch had $3 million more than Liljenquist.[28]

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Orrin
Hatch		 Dan
Liljenquist		 Other/
Undecided
Deseret News/KSL-TV June 15–21, 2012 737 ± 3.6% 60% 32% 8%
Utah Data Points/Key Research June 12–19, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 56% 25% 18%

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary results[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Orrin Hatch (Incumbent) 146,394 66
Republican Dan Liljenquist 73,668 34
Total votes 220,062 100

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Declared

Results

Howell defeated Ashdown 63%-37% to win and avoid a primary.[37]

Democratic convention results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Howell - 63
Democratic Pete Ashdown - 37
Total votes - 100

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 HealthcareNational 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]

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Orrin
Hatch (R)		 Scott
Howell (D)		 Other/
Undecided
Deseret News/KSL October 26–November 1, 2012 870 ± 3.4% 63% 26% 11%
Key Research October 9–13, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 61% 22% 17%
Utah State University October 8–13, 2012 n/a ± 7.6% 67% 24% 9%
Deseret News/KSL-TV June 15–21, 2012 1,228 ± 2.8% 63% 29% 8%

Results

United States Senate election in Utah, 2012
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Orrin Hatch (inc.) 595,972 65.21% +2.85%
Democratic Scott Howell 275,880 30.19% -0.87%
Constitution Shaun McCausland 28,367 3.10% -0.67%
Justice Daniel Geery 7,444 0.81%
Independent Bill Barron 6,261 0.69%
Majority 320,092 35.02%
Turnout 913,924 60.40%
Republican hold Swing

Note: The ±% column reflects the change in total number of votes won by each party from the previous election. Neither the vote shares nor the turnout figure account for write-ins. Turnout percentage is the portion of registered voters who voted (1,513,241 as of 11/6/2012)[44]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Weiner, Rachel (February 9, 2011). "Orrin Hatch courts tea party activists, Tea Party Express divided". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Utah Republican Party Candidates List".
  5. ↑ "L.A. Brunson Campaign Interview and Announcement". K-Talk Radio. October 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Election Results: U.S. Senate Candidates". Utah Republican Party. April 21, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ Miller, Sean J. (December 8, 2010). "Sen. Hatch: 'I intend to run, and I intend to win'". The Hill. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
  8. ↑ Gehrke, Robert (January 6, 2012). "Rep. Chris Herrod joins campaign to defeat Orrin Hatch". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  9. ↑ Gehrke, Robert (January 4, 2012). "Liljenquist is in against Hatch". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  10. ↑ Catanese, David; Sherman, Jake (August 22, 2011). "Jason Chaffetz is out, but Orrin Hatch isn't in the clear". Politico. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  11. ↑ Trygstad, Kyle (August 22, 2011). "Chaffetz Passes on Hatch Challenge". Roll Call. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  12. ↑ Burr, Thomas (February 6, 2012). "Jon Huntsman rules out another political bid – for now". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  13. ↑ Gehrke, Robert (January 6, 2012). "Tea Party leader Kirkham ready to run for governor". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  14. ↑ Hesterman, Billy (December 1, 2011). "Philpot to challenge Herbert in 2012". Daily Herald. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  15. ↑ Roche, Lisa Riley (June 9, 2011). "Two Utah political heavyweights eyeing key races". Deseret News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Mike Lee: Orrin Hatch Not Getting My Endorsement In 2012 Primary". Huffington Post. February 11, 2011.
  17. ↑ Gehrke, Robert (June 1, 2011). "Sources say Chaffetz is in against Hatch". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Key National Voice Endorses Orrin Hatch For Senate". Orrin Hatch for Utah. June 14, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  19. ↑ Keller, Barney (June 1, 2011). "Run, Jason, Run!". Club for Growth. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  20. ↑ Sherman, Jake (June 3, 2011). "Jason Chaffetz leaning toward challenging Orrin Hatch". Politico. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  21. ↑ Schott, Bryan (January 20, 2012). "UtahPolicy.com Poll: Salt Lake County Republicans Prefer Hatch over Liljenquist". Utah Policy. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Liljenquist, Herbert and Swallow lead straw poll results among Box Elder GOP". Cache Valley Daily. February 2, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 23.9 23.10 23.11 23.12 23.13 23.14 23.15 23.16 23.17 23.18 23.19 23.20 23.21 23.22 23.23 23.24 23.25 23.26 23.27 23.28 23.29 "Endorsements & Quotes". Orrin Hatch for Utah. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  24. ↑ GOProud Announces U.S. House Endorsements
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 25.8 25.9 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 25.14 "Endorsements". Dan Liljenquist - Conservative for U.S. Senate. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Issues". Dan Liljenquist - Conservative for U.S. Senate. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  27. ↑ "2012 GOA-PVF Candidates". Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Orrin Hatch fails to clinch GOP nomination in Utah — by 0.9%". Hot Air. April 21, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  29. ↑ http://www.therightscoop.com/sarah-palin-announces-endorsement-for-orrin-hatch-for-us-senate/
  30. ↑ Davidson, Lee (June 6, 2012). "Herbert endorses Hatch, calls him 'best choice for Utah'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Utah". National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  32. ↑ Hartman, Rachel Rose (June 15, 2012). "TSantorum endorses Hatch's opponent in Utah primary". ABC News. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  33. ↑ "FreedomWorks for America Endorses Conservative Candidate Dan Liljenquist for Utah Senate". FreedomWorks. April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  34. ↑ http://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/Senate/2012/Primary/UT
  35. ↑ Roche, Lisa Riley (November 8, 2011). "Pete Ashdown to try again to unseat Sen. Hatch". Deseret News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  36. ↑ Gehrke, Robert (March 15, 2012). "From president to school board, candidates file for Utah elections". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  37. ↑ Cortez, Marjorie (April 21, 2012). "Utah Democrats pick Scott Howell as candidate for U.S. Senate". Deseret News. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Frandsen, Eric (March 15, 2012). "Hatch faces 9 challengers from within his own party". Cache Valley Daily. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  39. ↑ Howell Campaign Finances
  40. ↑ Hatch Campaign Finances
  41. ↑ Barron Campaign Finances
  42. ↑ Center for Responsive Politics. "Top Contributors 2012 Race: Utah Senate". opensecrets.org.
  43. ↑ Center for Responsive Politics. "Top Industries 2012 Race: Utah Senate". opensecrets.org.
  44. ↑ http://elections.utah.gov/party-and-status

External links

Official campaign websites