The longest-serving Republican senator is planning to run for re-election in the 2018 midterms.
Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah told CNN Thursday he wants to extend his Senate career that began in 1977 during the final days of the Ford administration.
"I'm planning on [running] right now," Hatch said. "That's what my current plans are."
Hatch will turn 83 on March 22 and told the network he received encouragement from President Donald Trump and other top-ranked members of the Republican Party to make an effort to stay in office.
Hatch had originally planned to end his Senate career after his current term, which ends after next year's election.
"[Trump's] pitch is he needs me," Hatch said. "Things are going to be just fine."
Hatch represents Utah with Sen. Mike Lee, who first took office in 2011.
Hatch ran for president in 2000 but came up short to George W. Bush in the Republican primary race. He's also been discussed as a potential Supreme Court Justice, but he has never been nominated to the high court.
Hatch chairs the Senate Finance Committee and is also the chamber's president pro tempore. The results of a poll released in January showed that 78 percent of registered voters in Utah think Hatch should retire and not seek an eighth term.
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