Senator Bennett, R-Utah, has just announced he will not mount a write-in campaign for the Senate race in Utah. Bennett acknowledged the urging he has received from people around the country and from colleagues in Washington nudging him to run a write-in campaign.
At a press conference on Capitol Hill Thursday, he called the race up until this point “nasty” and the atmosphere “truly toxic.”
The lawmaker then thanked his staff and said his 18-year run is more than most senators get. Bennett has made no decision yet on endorsing any candidate.
The senator’s announcement comes after he failed to place in the top two during Utah’s GOP convention on May 8, thus ejecting him from the primary race.
Bennett came in third behind attorney Mike Lee and businessman Tim Bridgewater. Lee and Bridgewater are set to face-off again on June 22 to determine the GOP’s nominee.
Whoever wins the primary will go up against the Democratic candidate, Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Chair Sam Granato.
While Bennett came up short at the GOP convention, his loss isn’t seen as a threat to Republicans, who are widely favored to win the seat in November. No Democrat has won in a Utah Senate race since 1970.
Nationally, Bennett’s loss has been cited as an example of a growing anti-incumbent sentiment across the country in 2010 elections.
Initially following the May 8 defeat, a spokesperson for Senator Bennett said he had made no decision about whether he might consider a write-in campaign.
Independent Wayne Hill and “Constitution Party” candidate Scott Bradley are also vying for the seat.