Utah congressman nears Hatch challenge

SALT LAKE CITY, June 1 (UPI) -- Rep. Jason Chaffetz will challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch next year, Utah Republicans say he has told them.

The congressman has not declared his intentions seek the seat held by his fellow Republican, but five political figures told The Salt Lake Tribune he has made up his mind.

"I have an increasing clarity," Chaffetz told the newspaper Tuesday. "Until I walk up to the microphone to make an announcement, it's not official. But it's no secret I've been thinking about this and I've been gravitating in that direction."

He said no announcement will come until after Labor Day.

Chaffetz was 9 years old when Hatch, now 77, won his first Senate term in 1976.

"Senator Hatch has this amazing history of service and a significant leadership post, but Chaffetz is simply the most popular politician among the delegates in Utah at the moment," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah.

At the 2010 state GOP convention, three-term Sen. Bob Bennett was taken by surprise and upset by Mike Lee. But Hatch already has begun campaigning.