Nearly 8 in every 10 Utah voters don't think Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah) should run for reelection, according to a poll released Thursday.

The survey, sponsored by the Salt Lake Tribune and the Hinckley Institute of Politics, found that 58 percent of Utahans think the GOP senator should "definitely not" run for an eighth term, while an additional 20 percent think he should "probably not" run.

By comparison, only 20 percent of respondents backed a 2018 run for Hatch — the most senior Republican in the Senate.

The Utah Republican, who is 82, previously pledged to retire if he was reelected in 2012.

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But Hatch — who has wide sway over tax policy as chairman of the Finance Committee — has backed away from his promise and told reporters late last year that he hadn't made up his mind about running for reelection.

Thursday's poll also found Hatch trailing in a potential GOP Senate primary. Former Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) — whose brother, Paul Huntsman, owns the Salt Lake Tribune — would lead Hatch, 62 percent to 21 percent, according to the poll of registered voters.

Huntsman demurred when asked about the seat, telling the Salt Lake Tribune that "we should all be grateful for Senator Hatch's service to our state and country."

Utahans are roughly split on Hatch's job performance, with 51 percent saying they approve of him, compared to 47 percent who disapprove, according to the poll.

Dan Jones, whose firm conducted the poll, said the number of voters who oppose Hatch running for reelection is at an all-time high.