Sen. Lee Won't Back Hatch in Primary

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tea party favorite Sen. Mike Lee says he won't endorse fellow Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch's re-election in the 2012 GOP primary.

Lee said Friday on MSNBC that he would be neutral in the race until the primary is decided.

Lee's decision was seen as a blow to Hatch, who is seeking tea party support for re-election and is expected to face a conservative primary challenge.

Lee was one of two candidates who drummed former GOP Utah Sen. Bob Bennett out of office last year by besting him in a party convention vote, scoring a victory for the tea party movement.

Hatch was elected to the Senate in 1976.