SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Over the past two years, GOP primaries have ended the careers of several veteran Republican politicians backed by the party's establishment. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah is seeking to avoid the same fate in his first primary challenge since winning office in 1976.
Hatch's race is the premier event as several states hold primaries Tuesday. Among them is New York, where Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel is running for a 22nd term. It's the first time Rangel has faced voters since the House censured him 18 months ago for failing to pay all his taxes and for filing misleading financial disclosure statements.
A few months ago, Hatch was considered vulnerable. But the 78-year-old senator is now viewed as the heavy favorite in a matchup against former state Sen. Daniel Liljenquist.
