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SALT LAKE CITY -- Sen. Bob Bennett says he will let his political career end without a further fight. Thursday, Bennett announced he will not be a write-in candidate for his Senate seat.
"Even if I were to win the campaign, holding a seat with only partial support after years of the widespread support I have enjoyed wouldn't be worth it to me," he said.
This announcement means the remaining Republican candidates, Mike Lee and Time Bridgewater, no longer have to worry about the longtime senator. Now, they are free to go ahead and capture some of Bennett's supporters as they take each other on in the primary.
Bennett lost his spot in the Senate at the state convention a couple of weeks ago. He claims there is enough support for a write-in campaign that he could win.
"I am grateful to the people who have supported me, and who still support me," Bennett said. "I have had 18 years in the Senate; it's been a wonderful ride."
Even if I were to win the campaign, holding a seat with only partial support after years of the widespread support I have enjoyed wouldn't be worth it to me.
–Sen. Bob Bennett
But at a news conference in Washington, he announced his time in the Senate has come to an end. Bennett says the "toxic political environment" that toppled him would continue to harm the Republican Party, even if he won.
"If I were to do it, that would revive all of those passions and divide the party in the state of Utah in a way that might leave wounds that would go on for months, if not years to follow," he said.
Both Lee and Bridgewater issued statements, saying they're working to win votes right now. They are both targeting former Bennett supporters, and possibly even Bennett himself.
An endorsement from the outgoing senator could mean a little backlash from anti-Bennett people. But it could also mean major perks.
Bennett still has a lot of clout in both Utah and in Washington, D.C. That clout could translate into instant acceptance and important financial support for the candidate he gets behind.
"He is a very powerful force in D.C. right now," said Kirk Jowers with the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "He still has an important vote, and he would give the OK in D.C. to a lot of moneyed interests on which candidate to support."
But Bennett says he's not prepared to endorse either Lee or Bridgewater yet. When and if he decides to do that, it could be a significant event in the campaign.
"As for the question of endorsements, or what I might do now, I've made a firm decision, not to make any decision," Bennett said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic candidate in the race, Sam Granato, says he hopes Bennett decides not to endorse either Republican because of the way they treated him before the convention.
Bennett is officially out of the race, but there's no question he is still a major factor.
Both Lee and Bridgewater issued statements Thursday, thanking Bennett for his 18 years of service.
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Story compiled with contributions from Richard Piatt and Sheryl Worsley.
