Orrin Hatch, who represented Utah as the longest serving Republican senator in history, died on Saturday at 88.

Hatch’s death was announced Saturday evening by his foundation, according to the Associated Press.

“The Hatch Foundation sadly announces the passing of Senator Orrin G. Hatch—the Chairman Emeritus of the Hatch Foundation, former President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and longest-serving Senator in Utah history (1977-2019). Senator Hatch passed away at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by family,” a statement from the Hatch Foundation read.

Hatch served in the Senate for 42 years. He was first elected in 1976 and retired in 2018, NBC News reported. He famously defended Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who was being targeted by Democrats with sexual harassment allegations during his confirmation hearings.