Sen. Hatch: 'I intend to run, and I intend to win'

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) isn't entertaining questions about a possible primary challenge from Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

"I don't even talk about that," he told The Ballot Box during an exchange with reporters outside the Senate chamber. Hatch then turned to answer a question about ethanol tax credits, but felt compelled to indicate he wasn't afraid of losing next cycle.

"I intend to run, and I intend to win, and that's as [much] as I'll say," Hatch added.

After Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) lost his party's nomination to Mike Lee in 2010, attention shifted to Hatch. Some observers believe the 76-year-old Hatch could also be vulnerable to a challenge.

Chaffetz recently formed a new leadership PAC to help him raise campaign cash, which he certainly will need if he's going to make a Senate bid. The congressman had $178,536 in the bank as of Nov. 22, according to his post-election Federal Election Commission report.

Hatch had about $2.32 million in the bank and was some $75,000 in debt at the end of September, according to his last available FEC report.