Utah residents and politicians, as well as those on the national stage, took to social media Tuesday to respond to Sen. Orrin Hatch’s announcement that he will retire at the end of this year after 40 years in the Senate.

The announcement came the form of a video on Twitter, after months of speculation about whether the senator would choose to run for an eighth term. Now, that speculation moves to whether former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will step in to run for the seat.

Polls have shown that three-quarters of Utahns wanted Hatch, 83, to retire, though he’d said previously he was listening to pressure from President Donald Trump, fellow senators and other Utah leaders in weighing another term.

Here’s a look at the reactions to Hatch’s announcement across social media:

Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

Thank you @senorrinhatch for your decades of service in the United States Senate and for fighting every day for the American people. @POTUS & I will always be grateful for your leadership, counsel, and friendship. pic.twitter.com/emfwN5KMdT — Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) January 2, 2018

Utah and the entire Senate is losing an incredible fighter in @OrrinHatch. I came to know Orrin well last year and proudly call him a friend. pic.twitter.com/vCRvFirwCv — Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) January 2, 2018

I join the people of Utah in thanking my friend, Senator Orrin Hatch for his more than forty years of service to our... Posted by Mitt Romney on Tuesday, January 2, 2018

We now go live to Utah.... pic.twitter.com/m80YXJq8rE — Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) January 2, 2018

.@senorrinhatch's long list of accomplishments means he will depart as one of the most productive members ever to serve in the #Senate. We’ll remember the unfailing energy, kindness, and straightforward honesty that he brought to work every day. https://t.co/KNMAZx7ySQ — Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) January 2, 2018

HATCH ME OUTSIDE, HOW BOUT THAT — Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) January 2, 2018

Sen. Hatch has been a tremendous servant to the people of Utah and he will be sorely missed. It has truly been an honor serving with him in the United States Senate and I know he will continue to do fantastic work for Utahns. — Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) January 2, 2018

END OF AN ERA: Orrin Hatch is the last remaining member of the United States Senate to have been credited on the soundtrack of Ocean's Twelve — Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) January 2, 2018

Here is my statement on Sen. Hatch’s retirement announcement: “Senator Orrin Hatch has served with great distinction... Posted by Rep. Mia B. Love on Tuesday, January 2, 2018

I am grateful that we have had such a statesman on the frontlines fighting for us for the past four decades. @senorrinhatch has been a great friend and mentor to me. We still have a lot left to accomplish together this year but I will certainly miss his presence in the Senate. — Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) January 2, 2018

Thank you Senator Hatch for your many years of sacrifice and service. Thanks to your family as well. Utah and the nation will miss you! — Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) January 2, 2018

suggested tabloid headlines:



HATCH BLOWS

HATCH YA LATER

HATCH ME OUTSIDE

ORRIN: PEACE

HATCH 'EM ALLS — ryan teague beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) January 2, 2018

I was three years old when Orrin was elected. Still wrapping my brain around the idea of him not being in the Senate.



Excuse me while I have an existential crisis. #utpol pic.twitter.com/MwkxdtApMZ — RobertGehrke (@RobertGehrke) January 2, 2018

Few have been as dedicated to serving the people of Utah as our good Senator, Orrin Hatch. For seven terms, he has represented the people of Utah with strength and dignity. We are grateful for his hard work and for his untiring effort on behalf of our state. I wish him the best. — Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) January 2, 2018

Thank you @senorrinhatch for a tremendous life of service and sacrifice. And thank you for keeping your promise. You have made our state—and country—a better place. Your impact will never be matched. May God bless you and your family. — Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) January 2, 2018

Wow, @senorrinhatch is retiring. We would have found out sooner, but sadly, he tried to send notice via telegraph, as they did in the days when he was first elected. #OrrinHatch #utpol — Danmet! (@danmet) January 2, 2018

.@senorrinhatch has served with dignity and honor. He is a man of integrity. The seat will be filled after the upcoming election but he will never be replaced. Thank you for your service, your grit, your effectiveness and for your friendship. I have learned so much. #utpol — Speaker Greg Hughes (@GHughes51) January 2, 2018