McMullin open to challenging Chaffetz or Hatch in 2018

Former Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin says he may mount a 2018 challenge against either Sen. Orrin HatchOrrin HatchMcMullin open to challenging Chaffetz or Hatch in 2018 Senate Finance takes step on Trump's trade nominee Overnight Finance: CBO score roils ObamaCare debate | Dems fire warning shot over border wall funding | Obstacles mount for tax reform MORE (R-Utah) or Rep. Jason ChaffetzJason ChaffetzMcMullin open to challenging Chaffetz or Hatch in 2018 House panel approves Postal Service finances legislation Dem: GOP pushing ‘judicial gerrymandering’ MORE (R-Utah).

McMullin, who unsuccessfully ran for the White House as an anti-Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTHE MEMO: Trump wiretapping controversy goes global Trump administration rescinds Obama guidance on student loan defaults: report GOP senator: Trump should release tax returns MORE candidate, on Friday said he probably will run for elected office again, but not necessarily next year.

“It is likely that I will seek public office again,” McMullin said in a Reddit “ask me anything” chat. “That might be in 2018 or it might be sometime down the road, perhaps very far down the road.

“It is possible that I will challenge Chaffetz or Senator Hatch, but there are a lot of factors that go into that decision. One of the primary factors is what the people of Utah want.”

McMullin has floated taking on Hatch — the longest-serving GOP senator in history — before. But this appears to be the first time he’s mentioned possibly running against Chaffetz.

In the past, Hatch said he would retire at the end of his term in 2018, but recently said he plans on running “right now,” though he has yet to make a final decision. The Utah Republican is getting urged to run for reelection by President Trump and Senate leadership.

“Plenty of people outside of Utah or who do not vote in the Republican primary are eager to see Chaffetz replaced, for example,” McMullin said. “But he may be supported by his Republican primary voters and, if so, that has to be taken into account.”

During the February recess, Chaffetz faced a rowdy town hall back in his home state, particularly facing heated questions over the GOP's push to repeal ObamaCare.

McMullin, who is from Utah, targeted his home state in the 2016 election. Utah is a deep-red state, but Trump was thought to be vulnerable there because he was not well-liked by its Mormon population. Trump easily won Utah in the end, with 46 percent support, compared with Democrat Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonBrazile: Sending Clinton town hall topics ‘mistake I will forever regret’ Fox’s Shep Smith: Fox can’t confirm analyst’s claim that UK helped Obama spy on Trump McMullin open to challenging Chaffetz or Hatch in 2018 MORE’s 27 percent and McMullin’s 22 percent.