Low voter turnout doesn’t hinder Hatch’s reelection

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Senator Hatch secured a victory in the Utah primary yesterday in his quest to serve his seventh term as a United States Senator.

The voter turnout was lower for the primary election than the presidential election. This is for several reasons, including the fact that it is harder to get BYU students to vote in the summer when many students at BYU either cannot vote in Utah or are away for the term.

Only 11 percent of  Utah County residents, on average, participate in preliminaries for the presidential election according to election judge Kathryn Allen of Provo, Utah. Kathryn Allen’s husband and manager, Bob Allen, said, “I wish there was some way to create a situation where more people would want to vote. It kills me because if you don’t vote you have no right to complain.”

“Today was a great win for me and my campaign, and I couldn’t be more pleased to see our hard work pay off,” stated Sen. Orrin Hatch, R. Utah, in a news release.

“After traveling our state from corner to corner, talking to voters and discussing the issues of great importance to our state –- I believe my message was heard loud and clear and I am grateful that my fellow Utahns have entrusted me once again to be the Republican nominee for this important office,” said Hatch.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Hatch beat Liljenquist with a majority vote of 67 percent to 33 percent. Hatch spent $10 million on his campaign, which dwarfs Dan Liljenquist’s spending of $600,000.

Hatch’s campaign was also enhanced by the aid and endorsement of presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a fellow Utahn. Romney’s support, along with an early and vigorous work ethic, served to back off other potential candidates from entering the race.

A Democratic candidate for Senate has not been elected by Utah in over 42 years.

Phil Thomas, who recently graduated from BYU in German literature, had a say. “We want someone like Orrin Hatch. He is endorsed by Romney, he has the experience and authority to get the job done,” said Thomas.

Provo natives Joe and Carlon Gledhill exited the Wasatch Elementary voting location echoing Thomas’s thoughts. “We just love Romney, and if Romney thinks Hatch is who we need, then that’s who we’ll vote for,” said Carlon.

Hatch said he looks forward to continuing his service. “I believe my message was heard loud and clear and I am grateful that my fellow Utahns have entrusted me once again to be the Republican nominee for this important office,” said Hatch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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