Dems tried to recruit ‘Jeopardy!’ champ to challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch

Top Senate Democrats sought to recruit Ken Jennings to challenge Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) back in 2004, the “Jeopardy!” contestant revealed Thursday.

Jennings is famous for holding the record for consecutive wins on the quiz show. His streak of 74 straight victories brought him to the attention of the Democratic Senate leadership in 2004.

{mosads}In an online forum, Jennings told readers: “[Sens.] Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y.] and Harry Reid [D-Nev.] both called me back personally in 2004 to try to get me to run for Orrin Hatch’s Senate seat.”

Schumer went on to become head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2005 and earned a reputation for recruiting top candidates.

Jennings continued: “I am not making this up. Win on a game show and you can apparently run for the US Senate. That was when I realized the Democratic Party was f@#$ed in ’04.”

Jennings lived in Utah during his winning run and would have been eligible to challenge the Republican.