Advertisement

FEC ends Hatch presidential bid, 14 years after election

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) leaves the Senate Chambers for votes related to the budget, on March 22, 2013 at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. Cruz's amendment to repeal President Obama's Affordable Care Act failed to pass. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) leaves the Senate Chambers for votes related to the budget, on March 22, 2013 at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. Cruz's amendment to repeal President Obama's Affordable Care Act failed to pass. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Sen. Orrin Hatch has officially ended his campaign for president nearly 14 years after it began, election officials say.

The Federal Election Commission closed the Orrin Hatch Presidential Exploratory Committee in June because of a lack of contributions over the years, The Salt Lake City Tribune reported Tuesday.

Advertisement

Hatch, R-Utah, ran for president in 1999. He pulled out of the race after garnering 1 percent in the Iowa caucuses.

Utah Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis said he was saddened by the closure.

"Considering what happened in the 2000 election, it would have been a bonanza for the country to have had a President Orrin Hatch," he said.

Hatch had invited supporters to send in contributions of $36, a jab at a rival's $36 million in campaign funds. He borrowed $255,000 from his Senate campaign and technically still owes it $62,750.75.

Latest Headlines