GOP Senate hopeful Brent Hatch advocates limiting governmental role in LGBTQ+ issues

In an interview with Newsweek, Brent Hatch, candidate for Utah’s soon-to-be vacant senate seat currently held by Sen. Mitt Romney, highlighted his stance on governmental intervention in LGBTQ+ issues and abortion rights. The son of late Republican Senator Orrin Hatch joins a competitive race for the Senate seat, emphasizing a platform centered on border security, reducing national debt, and advocating for limited government interference in social issues.

With the upcoming vacancy in the Utah Senate seat in 2024 due to Romney’s impending retirement, Hatch is among several contenders, including U.S. Rep. John Curtis, former Utah Rep. Brad Wilson, and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, vying for the Republican candidacy.

In the interview, Hatch emphasized his belief that the government should maintain a limited role in LGBTQ+ issues.

“I think the government largely needs to stay out of these things, and people need to live their lives,” he remarked during the video interview with Newsweek. “There are certain things where I suppose government has to get involved.”

While Hatch acknowledged the evolving discussions around LGBTQ+ issues, particularly those concerning transgender youths, he expressed a clear preference for the government to abstain from intervening in such matters.

“Nobody [politically] talked about these kind of things 10, 20 years ago,” said Hatch. “And every one of us had had friends or family members that were dealing with some of those issues, and we got through it … and now government wants to make it a government thing. I don’t see any reason to do that.”

“It’s not part of my platform … but I do think we’ve gotten a little bit overboard,” he added, highlighting his focus on other critical national concerns.

Regarding abortion, a contentious topic since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Hatch identified himself as pro-life. However, he underscored the importance of personal choice in such matters. “I am very clearly pro-life. But I do think those are personal decisions,” he stated, urging individuals to consider their choices thoughtfully.

Hatch outlined his aspirations as a senator, emphasizing a commitment to legislative initiatives aimed at improving lives and reducing undue government interference in businesses and individual lives.

“Look at legislation, look at the types of things that would make everybody’s life better — make everybody’s life more productive, make everybody’s business less put upon by the government … those types of things,” he asserted.

As the race for the Senate seat intensifies in Utah, Hatch’s focus on limited government intervention in social issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights presents a distinct stance amid a diverse field of candidates vying for the Republican nomination. With societal debates surrounding these issues intensifying, the approach of candidates like Hatch adds depth to the ongoing dialogue on the role of government in addressing such matters.