Orrin G. Hatch (R - UT) Definitely Yes 2018 election seat
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September 24: Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah warned Monday of "phony accusations" following a newly surfaced allegation of inappropriate sexual behavior against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and suggested that Democrats are to blame, saying, it's not unusual "for our friends on the other side to pull that kind of crap." "It's amazing to me that these allegations come out of nowhere at the last minute and that they weren't brought up earlier in this process, and it's not untypical for our friends on the other side to pull that kind of crap," Hatch said when asked by reporters about an accusation against Kavanaugh from a woman named Deborah Ramirez published in The New Yorker on Sunday. Ramirez said that she remembers Kavanaugh exposing himself to her at a dormitory party more than three decades ago. CNN has not independently confirmed The New Yorker's reporting. Hatch appeared to liken Ramirez's allegation to "phony accusations." "No, I think we can look into that accusation," Hatch told reporters on Capitol Hill. "You're going to have these phony accusations come always. It's always the case when you have a contested situation. We should give due listen to everyone who has a comment here, but we're down to the rug-cutting time, and we're going to have this marked-up at the end of the week. So it's time to get down to business." He added of Ford's allegation, however, "I think she is sincere, at least I hope so, but I think she is sincerely wrong." (CNN)
September 17: Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, told reporters Monday that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh categorically denied allegations that he committed sexual assault at a high school party in the early 1980s -- and told the senator he was not at a party similar to what his accuser described...In a statement to Fox News, Hatch's office said that Kavanaugh told the senator "he was not at a party like the one [Ford] describes" and added that Ford "may be mistaking [Kavanaugh] for someone else."...Hatch, the Senate president pro tempore and third in the presidential line of succession behind Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan, told CNN that Kavanaugh was "upset" about the allegation and described him as "a very strong, decent man." "I think she's mistaken," the 84-year-old Republican said of Ford. "She's mistaken something, but I don't know her." Hatch's office later tweeted that the senator "does not have enough information about Dr. Ford and her accusations but looks forward to hearing more from her to get to the bottom of things." (Fox News)
August 2: Of course, reality won’t deter Democrats from further attempts to Bork Judge Kavanaugh. Mother Theresa could be our nominee, and the left would still find something to complain about. Even so, I trust the American people to see through the ruse. Judge Kavanaugh is both a gentleman and a jurist of the highest quality. He is an eminently qualified nominee who deserves swift confirmation to the Supreme Court. (USA Today)
July 9: I’m so pleased that the President has selected Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. I was honored that the President would consult me about this critical pick and invite me to attend the official White House announcement. Judge Kavanaugh is an outstanding choice. I know him from his previous confirmation to the D.C. Circuit. He is one of our nation’s most distinguished and influential jurists. During his more than twelve years on the bench, Judge Kavanaugh has authored hundreds of opinions on issues ranging from national security to agency rulemaking to constitutional rights. He has shown a deep commitment to the separation of powers and to both the First and Second Amendment. He will be a strong, principled voice on the Supreme Court. (senate.gov)