It’s time to start thinking about some of the upcoming 2018 races and (hopefully) vetting the candidates.
Several states have Senate seats opening up, and it looks like some familiar faces may be stepping up to compete for those positions.
Specifically, some former presidential candidates may be resurfacing.
Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard CEO and 2016 Republican presidential candidate, may have a mind to challenge Democrat Senator (and Hillary Clinton’s VP pick) Tim Kaine, in Virginia.
Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham is also mulling a run for the Senate seat after being considered for White House press secretary in Trump’s administration. Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), who took himself out of the running for the Senate seat, praised Ingraham, according to the Washington Post.
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, who also unsuccessfully ran for the 2016 GOP nomination, is considering a run as well.
Virginia could have a lot of familiar faces. Tim Kaine, however, looks to have the upper hand.
His being part of Hillary Clinton’s losing 2016 presidential bid could put him in a comfortable position.
Utah has another very crowded field of potential Senate candidates. Much of that, however, depends on whether or not Republican Senator Orrin Hatch chooses to retire. So far, he has kept his intentions a secret.
“Utah’s going to have an exciting primary race in 2018 for the Senate, I’m very confident, no matter what,” said Damon Cann, a political science professor at Utah State University.
“Whether Sen. Hatch is in or out, there are candidates who are scoping out opportunity, and for a number of them, I think they will run whether Hatch stays in or out of race.”
Of those to look for on the scene in Utah, Jon Huntsman, who was a GOP presidential candidate in 2012.
Huntsman comes in with a bit of clout and experience under his belt.
He’s a former governor of Utah, and served as ambassador to China. Some would prefer that kind of experience, in the event Hatch does not run for an eighth term.
Even if he does, recent polling shows that the people of Utah think it’s time for him to go.
Evan McMullin, the ex-CIA agent and 2016 independent alternative to Trump or Hillary, has not announced a run, but if you follow his Twitter feed, it feels like he is.
McMullin jumped into the 2016 presidential race in August 2016, way too late to mount a truly successful campaign, but not so late that he didn’t create a bit of a stir.
He came in third in Utah, and is generally well-thought of in the state.
Finally, a pair of Romney’s may be in the wings.
The 2012 GOP Nominee, Mitt Romney, and even his son, Josh Romney, have been named as potentials.
The former Massachusetts governor has close ties in Utah and has frequently touted his time as CEO of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Committee.
The elder Romney was recently asked and he declined to give a definite answer, but he seemed to be leaving the door open.
I imagine if there is any interest on his son’s part, it’s something they’ll have to discuss over a family dinner.
It’s not too early to begin considering candidates and formal announcements will be coming soon.
Midterm elections tend to generate much less excitement than a general election, but let’s hope the citizens get active, vet their candidates, and assure that who our government will be working with for the next several years are the people who truly represent us.
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