Orrin Hatch will have to run in primary

SANDY, Utah -- Utah Republicans denied Sen. Orrin Hatch a clear path to a seventh term yesterday, forcing him into a June primary. Hatch fell short of the nomination by fewer than three dozen votes from the nearly 4,000 delegates at the party convention.

Despite the setback and tea party opposition, Hatch, 78, holds a significant fundraising edge. The eventual Republican nominee will be the heavy favorite in November.

Hatch urged that delegates endorse him so he can help repeal President Barack Obama's health care law and potentially lead the powerful Senate Finance Committee if Republicans regain control of the chamber. Hatch argued that he was the only candidate who could enact the GOP's priorities from day one of the next congressional session.

"I'm a tough old bird, and I've never felt more eager," he said.

But his challenger, former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, said Hatch's seniority was overrated and that he was ready to work with freshmen Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky in changing how the Senate works.

"It is time for a new generation of leaders. We know it to our bones," Liljenquist, 37, said after the results were announced.

Hatch and Liljenquist advanced from the first round at the convention after Hatch got 57 percent of the vote and Liljenquist took 28 percent.

In the second round, Hatch earned 59.2 percent, just short of the 60 percent needed for the outright nomination. They will face off in the June 26 primary.