People close to former Republican presidential contender and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney say the 70-year-old plans to run for U.S. Senate in Utah next year, reports

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The scenario presents itself as Orrin Hatch, the longest serving Senate Republican in U.S. history, reportedly plans to step down from his seat at the end of his present term.

Hatch, 84, has occupied the seat for 40 years. According to the magazine, he has told staff and others close to him he plans to retire.

Although Hatch's staff denied him having made a "final decision," Derek Miller, the Republican CEO of Utah's World Trade Center, told the magazine the plan for Hatch to step down and Romney to run had been "reported to me as a 'done deal.'"

"If Romney runs, I will fully support him," Miller told the Atlantic.

A Romney spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell months ago told reporters he had spoken to Romney about his interest in running for the seat.

The magazine relied on anonymous sources for the story, who detailed private discussions surrounding both men and the apparently coordinated nature of the plan.

Since losing his presidential bid in 2012 to Barack Obama, Romney has kept an active voice in Republican politics. His attempts to intervene as then-candidate Donald Trump was running away with the Republican primaries proved unsuccessful, but Romney has remained vocal in his criticism of President Trump.

"The consensus among political insiders in the state is that Romney will win easily if he runs," The Atlantic reported. "And several potential candidates have already signaled that they will not compete for the seat, given Romney's apparent interest."

A poll commissioned by UtahPolicy.com earlier found Romney receiving 64 percent of the vote against Democrat contender Jenny Wilson.

The Salt Lake Tribune on Sunday printed an editorial saying, "If he decides to run, he would be the leading voice of the Republican Party, and Utah would be his home. Utah would be lucky if Romney decides to run."