US Senate Race in Utah 2010

Mike Lee Wins in Utah -- By: Robert Costa

2010-06-23T00:52:00.000-07:00

Mike Lee Wins in Utah -- By: Robert Costa: "

Attorney Mike Lee, 38, has won Utah’s GOP Senate primary. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Lee leads businessman Tim Bridgewater, 51 percent to 49 percent.

“We had an army of hard-fighting, hard-campaigning volunteers and they just refused to quit because they believed in our message,” Lee said late Tuesday, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. He then called his come-from-behind win a “peaceful revolution.”

“It is different than any election year any of us have ever seen in our lifetime,” Lee said. “It is different because people are taking the power back.”

So much for the polls: A pre-primary survey released by the Deseret News on Friday showed Lee trailing by nine, 42 percent to 33 percent, with 25 percent of likely voters undecided. Give Lee some credit -- he was never rattled by the numbers. In an interview with NRO earlier this week, he commented on the supposed nine-point gap:

Lee, for his part, doesn’t pay much attention to the polls. “I don’t think we’re behind,” he says. “If anything, we’re ahead. The numbers are highly fluid.”

Lee’s win is also a victory for Sen. Jim DeMint (R., S.C.), his biggest backer. “Mike came from behind to win this race because of his unwavering support for the Constitution and the principles of freedom,” DeMint says. “Mike was the target of some very malicious campaign attacks, but he kept his focus on fighting for Utah families and prevailed.” Lee, a former general counsel to former governor Jon Huntsman, was also endorsed the Tea Party Express, Rep. Ron Paul (R., Texas), and Dick Armey’s FreedomWorks.

Now, Lee tells us, it is time for the Utah GOP to come together:

Regardless of who ends up the victor, Lee says the party can “unite” come tomorrow, and that despite a rollicking battle, the state party is “not fractured.”

Lee is the heavy favorite to beat Democrat Sam Granato in November. Sen. Bob Bennett (R., Utah), a Bridgewater supporter, is ready to help. “I extend my congratulations to Mike Lee on his victory,” he says. “I will do everything I can to make the transition from my office to his as smooth as possible and will be as helpful as I can during the process.”

Primary Voting Decision

2010-06-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

I've decided to vote for Mike Lee today in the primaries. While I believe both of today's candidates are an improvement over the old guard they are replacing I find myself more confident in Mr. Lee's small government commitment.

I appreciate both men and will look forward to a very fine class of new Senators after this election.

Primary/Runoff Day in Utah, South and North Carolina: What to Watch For

2010-06-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Primary/Runoff Day in Utah, South and North Carolina: What to Watch For: "Jon Huntsman Jr. general counsel Mike Lee will be the de facto senator come 2011 since Utah hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in four decades. ...

See all stories on this topic"

In Utah Race, Tea Party Has Already Won – Wall Street Journal ...

2010-06-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

In Utah Race, Tea Party Has Already Won – Wall Street Journal ...: "Sunday, June 20, 2010. Kansas City Star In Utah Race, Tea Party Has Already Won Wall Street Journal BOUNTIFUL, Utah—The Senate Republican primary in this famously conservative state has come down to tea party vs. tea party. ...

Relevant News - http://jackskin.com/"

Utah's Attorney General Tweets a Death

2010-06-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

It would be interesting to hear the candidates weight in on this...

Utah's Attorney General Tweets a Death: "

Yesterday, Utah's Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, used his Twitter account, to notify the world that he had OK-ed the execution of a prisoner.

'I just gave the go ahead to Corrections Director to proceed with Gardner's execution. May God grant him the mercy he denied his victims.'

The Tweet elicited some shock and moral outrage. The shock I initially felt was, I think, more due to this announcement being made via a medium better known for less life-altering announcements, like personal lunch menus and the unboxing of electronics.

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The issue here is less one of the capital punishment's morality - Twitter is not responsible for the decisions made by representatives of the state of Utah - and more the use of Twitter by a public servant. The tone of Attorney General Shutleff's subsequent Tweets seem strident and unprofessional. All other things being equal, that is any Twitter user's right. But not if you are representing your government, your state and its people. Then, it strikes a terribly discordant note, as the Tweets below might illustrate.

The first Tweet comes off flippant and the second angry. Neither is appropriate when juxtaposed with the murder of one man - a police officer - and the execution of another. If I were Governor and this man were my AG, the very least I'd do would be to take away a Twitter account he clearly is not responsible enough to use.

Discuss

Good Campaign Spending Resource

2010-05-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

OpenSecrets.org has great information on how much money each candidate is raising and how much they've spent.