Scott Howell's campaign sent out a fundraising email on Sunday night that makes an issue of Sen. Orrin Hatch's age.

The email, which you can see below, says Hatch would have been given the "golden handshake" of retirement over 10 years ago. Furthermore, the email says "We cannot risk the possibility of an 80-year-old man taking office, only to retire or die before his term is through."



Hatch's campaign manager, Dave Hansen, expressed disgust at the email calling it "offensive."

"The Senator is not 80, he's 78, for the record, but he's the youngest 78-year-old you'll ever see," says Hansen. "When you have to stoop to that kind of tactic, it means you have nothing else to campaign on. That's about as low as you can go."

Howell's campaign manager, Emily Hollingshead, tells Utah Policy in an email statement "The reality is that age is a factor in this election. The founding fathers never intended for public service to be a life-long profession. Scott brings innovation, enthusiasm and a different kind of experience to this race. It's time for a refresh."

What does Hansen think about Howell making Hatch's age an issue?

"Scott Howell couldn't keep up with Orrin Hatch," Hansen says dismissively.