The six-term GOP senator, who was first elected in 1976, fought off a challenge from tea party candidate Dan Liljenquist, after ramping up his campaign and spending about $10 million on advertising and outreach.
Sen Hatch will face Democratic rival, Scott Howell, later in the year for the senate position.
Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) told NutraIngredients-USA that Senator Hatch's overwhelming primary election victory on Tuesday June 26 is remarkable for several reasons.
"The scale of this outcome ( 63 to 31 % ) is highly unusual in the tough 2012 election climate where so many races will be decided by a few points. This is especially so for seasoned veterans of the Senate. "Given Utah's political demographics his ultimate re-election in November is assured. "We are gratified that Utah's dietary supplement industry, now Utah's #1 business sector in size - $ 7.2 billion in 2011 revenues - rose to the challenge and contributed in meaningful ways to encourage voters to return the supplement industry's champion to the Senate. "There is much work to do on Capital Hill, and Senator Hatch will be there to lead the way with his long time ally Senator Harkin. "
Industry champion
At the recent State of the Utah Dietary Supplements Industry event organized by the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), Hatch was identified as one of the five key reasons behinds the rise of the state’s dietary supplements industry. The complete list was:
- Dr John Christopher (born in Salt Lake City in 1909) and his book ‘The Art of Natural Healing’, with herbs becoming a Utah specialty
- Utah has a very receptive local culture
- Luck
- The Silicon Valley effect – Utah is now on its 5th generation
- Senator Orrin Hatch. “Without Senator Hatch we would not have been able to grow the business”, said UNPA's Loren Israelsen.