James: Liljenquist may be running to preserve Utah legislation

A new poll of Salt Lake County Republicans gives incumbent U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch a majority over his challenger Dan Liljenquist in the June 26 primary. Before leaving to run for U.S. Senate, Liljenquist served in the Utah Senate where he says he was responsible for reforming the pension and Medicaid programs.

On KVNU’s For the People program Monday, former Cache County GOP Chairman and current member of the state central committee said Liljenquist may want to get elected to get his work approved on the federal level.

“It can, and in some ways is looking like it very well may, fall apart as a result of (the federal level),” James said. “So he’s really wanting to get back there to not let his legislation in Utah fall apart.”

James said Liljenquist decided to run after hearing Hatch said he may be good for three or four more terms. After that, the six-term Senator announced that if elected this will be his last term.

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