Weber County GOP Archives

2011-05-18T13:00:00.009-06:00

2011 Weber County Organizing Convention Election Results

County Party Chair:
Matt Bell

County Party Vice-Chair:
Noall Knighton

County Party Secretary:
Matt Gwynn

County Party Treasurer:
Suzanne Ellison-Ferre

Noall Knighton - 2011 Candidate - Weber County GOP Vice Chair

2011-04-20T07:23:00.002-06:00

Dear Delegate,

My name is Noall Knighton and I am running for Weber County vice-chair. I am asking for your vote at Saturday's convention.
Below you can read some information about me. Please contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at noall@comcast or (801) 726-9944.

I look forward to serving you and appreciate your support.

Regards,
Noall Knighton
(801) 726-9944
noall@comcast.net

Party Experience:

State Delegate
County Delegate
Chair of Leg 10
Vice Chair of Leg 10
Precinct Chair
Co-Chair for state party golf tournament
Held fund raisers for local candidates
Hosted a campaign kick-off fund raiser for Rep. Wallis to unset a 6 term democrat
Walked neighborhoods to support GOP candidates

Community Experience

President of Breakfast Exchange Club
President of Utah Opticians Association
President of Ogden Golf and Country Club
Party contact to Weber 9/12 group

Professional Experience

President of Knighton Optical
Development Director at Ogden/Weber Applied Tech College
Business Broker at United Business Brokers
Fledgling career as a billboard model

Personal

Married to Julie Knighton ( Thanks to her high tolorance and low expectation, that has lasted over 30 years)
Two sons, Eric and Alex
Mother is Ellen, who we are blessed to have live in our home
Hobbies include golf, photography, and reading
Favorite book read of all time: Atlas Shrugged (The Movie is great!)
Photographer for the Ogden Raptors
Host family for Ogden Raptors

Politics

I believe the US Constitution outlines the role of the federal government. I have a strong belief that we should follow those principals.

I am a strong supporter of the free enterprise system and support efforts to eliminate government from competition with the private sector.

Favorite quote: The government that governs best is the government that governs least.

Political decisions are best when made closest to the people.

Elizabeth Carlin - 2011 Candidate - Weber County GOP Vice Chair

2011-04-08T11:32:00.003-06:00

Our current Vice Chair of the Weber County Republican Party has chosen not to run due to her added family duties. At this time I am retiring and now have the time to devote to building up our county party.

This county has a history of being a solid Democratic Party strong hold and has now become quite Republican.

I have been fortunate to have been part of that movement.

What I will bring to this possition is a knowledge of our county's Republican history an a willingness to work to promote the principles of our party.

There is a difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. There is a difference between the state and county party. Since I have been a Legislature Chair twice and have been on the State Central Committe, I do understand that difference.

Having been the volunteer chair I understand grass root energy and time frames. Our party should be open to people's desire to serve on more than a one night every two years basis.

I respectfully request you vote for me to be the next Vice Chair of the Weber County Republican Party.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Carlin

Official Weber County 2019 General Election Interim Tallies

2010-11-03T11:00:00.002-06:00

Here are the official Weber County 2010 General Election vote tallies as of 11:p.m. last night (11/2/10), courtesy of the Standard-Examiner. Winning candidates are marked with an "x" and highlighted in red.

U.S. Senate
x-Mike Lee, R, 263,189
Sam Granato, D, 137,271
Scott Bradley, C, 25,615

U.S. House, District 1
x-Rob Bishop, R, 125,371
Morgan Bowen, D, 40,089
Kirk Pearson, C, 8,285
Jared Stratton, L, 3,718

Governor
x-Gary Herbert, R, 278,873
Peter Corroon, D, 135,440
Andrew McCullough, L, 8,480
Farley Anderson, Una., 9,086

Weber County
State Senate, District 18
x-Stuart Reid, R, 7,281
Betty Sawyer, D, 4,821

State House, District 6
x-Brad J. Galvez, R, 7,711
Benjamin Pales, D, 1,740

State House, District 7
x-Ryan Wilcox, R, 5,101
Peter Clemens, D, 2,116

State House, District 8
x-Gage Froerer, R, 4,053
Alan L. Wheelwright, D, 2,495

State House District 9
x-Jeremy Peterson, R, 1,194
Neil Hansen, D, 1,039

State House, District 10
x-Dixon M. Pitcher, R, 3,990
Randy Rounds, D, 3,360

State House, District 11
x-Brad Dee, R, 3,854
Steven Gaskill, D, 1,736

State House, District 12
x-Richard A. Greenwood, R, 3,890
Larry Cisney, D, 1,595

Clerk/Auditor
x-Ricky Hatch, R, 24,868
Teresa Yorgason, D, 16,814

County Commission Seat A
x-Jan M. Zogmaister, R, 27,138
T.R. Morgan, D, 10,729
Drew Johnson, Una., 4,189

County Commission Seat B
Kerry W. Gibson, R, 27,354
Amy L. Wicks, D, 14,737

County Recorder
x-Ernest D. Rowley, R, 25,750
Debbie Hansen, D, 16,114

County Sheriff
x-Terry Thompson, R, 29,704
Gary Haws, D, 12,591

Ricky Hatch Weber 9/12 Group Meet the Candidates Night Speech

2010-10-04T05:51:00.002-06:00

I'm Ricky Hatch, and I'm running for Clerk/Auditor. By the way, when you see my name on the ballot, it won't say “Richard Hatch.” It'll say “Ricky.” That's what it says on my Utah birth certificate, which I'll be happy to show you, if you ask.

In 1959, Chevrolet created the El Camino. I've always been fascinated with the El Camino because I never knew if it was a car or a truck. Most people think it’s a car, but UDOT considers it a truck. It’s not something I would call “sexy.” Then again, I’ve called stranger things “sexy.”

The office of Clerk/Auditor is kind of like a governmental El Camino: is it a clerk or an auditor? The answer? It’s both, and both positions are very important. The Clerk/Auditor basically wears two hats: one for all things financial (from auditing to managing the Purchasing Department), and one for all things related to elections and voting.

So what characteristics should you look for in a Clerk/Auditor? Like the El Camino, you want someone who has proven that they can do more than one thing well, even if they might look a little funny.

For an Auditor – Look for accounting-related education. I have a Bachelors and a Masters of Accounting.

Look for Audit-related certifications. If you don’t think certifications are important, think about the last time your child broke an arm or was really sick. Would you have taken them to someone not certified as a doctor? You want someone with third-party certification that says they can do the job they say they can do. I have had my CPA license for over 13 years, and have been a Certified Information Systems Auditor for about the same time. This is important because of the county’s increased reliance on computer systems.

Weber County is a big organization, with a $100 million budget. In a budget that big, money can easily disappear. You want someone with experience in big organizations. I worked for 7 years for the world’s largest CPA firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers. I had many clients you might have heard of such as Disney, Kraft Foods, and the California Institute of Technology. These clients have multi-billion dollar revenues.

On the flip side, though, I’m not a corporate big wig – I’ve also worked for small companies, so I know the importance of being hands-on and involved. I was CFO of a company with $1 million in annual sales, and I helped my son start a candy machine business and my daughter a rabbit-raising business and, both of which were profitable, if you don’t count dad’s time and labor.

Now, on the Clerk side, you want a Clerk who is personable and approachable. Believe it or not, they do exist. They just don't come out of their caves very often.

Look for someone who is involved and who cares about their local community. I’ve served on Farr West City’s Planning commission, the GOP State Audit Committee, and the county GOP for several years. I recently had a letter to the Standard Examiner published regarding the so-called Fair Boundaries and Ethics initiatives.

For perhaps the most important characteristic in a County Clerk, do you want the person responsible for voter issues to share the philosophy of our Founding Fathers regarding the right of the citizens to vote, and the sacred duty of the government to protect that right? I love our Constitution. I’ve studied it. I’ve written articles about it. I commit to staying loyal to constitutional principles as your Clerk/Auditor.

Why do I want to do this? Harold Kushner wrote, "Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, or power. Our souls are hungry for meaning, … to live so that …the world will be at least a little bit different for our having passed through it." I want to help our county be a little bit different, a little bit better. And I need your help and your vote.

So when you're at the ballot box or electronic polling station, and you see the political El Camino position of Clerk/Auditor, remember how the Clerk/Auditor holds county departments fiscally accountable and safeguards the elections process. And then vote for Ricky Hatch.

Thank you.

Important SCOTUS Victory For the Second Amendment

2010-06-28T12:22:00.002-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 28, 2010

McDonald is More than Victory

For Gun Owners Alone

Justice Thomas Writes to Breathe Life

Into Important Privileges or Immunities Clause

Arlington, Va.—Gun owners today rejoiced as the U.S. Supreme Court today struck down the city of Chicago’s ban on handguns in McDonald v. City of Chicago. Today’s ruling should be celebrated not just by gun owners, but by everyone who cares about liberty and the unique role played by courts in protecting it under our system of government. The Institute for Justice (IJ) has for decades been among the most consistent defenders of an engaged judiciary and an appropriately originalist interpretation of the Constitution, including particularly the Privileges or Immunities Clause of the 14th Amendment. As today’s ruling makes clear, the right to keep and bear arms is a uniquely American, and decidedly fundamental individual right. That will be the result for which the McDonald decision will be remembered and, for many, celebrated.

But McDonald is about much more than just guns. At its heart, McDonald is a case about liberty. The Court was deeply divided over whether the Constitution protects a right to own guns from improper interference by state and local governments—just as District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008 held that the Second Amendment protects such a right against federal interference. Four justices voted to strike down Chicago’s handgun ban, finding a right to keep and bear arms under a doctrine called “substantive due process.” Four disagreed, voting to uphold the gun ban.

The pivotal fifth vote was Justice Clarence Thomas, who noted that, for all the disagreement between the two groups of four Justices, “neither side argues that the meaning they attribute to the Due Process Clause was consistent with public understanding at the time of its ratification.” Justice Thomas agreed that the gun ban should be struck down, but instead proposed “a more straightforward path to this conclusion, one that is more faithful to the Fourteenth Amendment’s text and history”—namely, the 14th Amendment’s “Privileges or Immunities Clause.” That Clause states that “[n]o State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.”

“The most important takeaway from today’s decision is that it remains an open question which provision in the 14th Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms against state infringement,” said IJ Senior Attorney Clark Neily, who was one of the three attorneys who litigated District of Columbia v. Heller, the 2008 case that struck down the D.C. gun ban. Neily, who co-authored IJ’s amicus briefs throughout the appellate process in McDonald, explained, “Today’s outcome is a tremendous victory for liberty, and we are pleased that it hinges on Justice Thomas’s compelling account of the history and purpose of the 14th Amendment, including the central role of the Privileges or Immunities Clause.”

The phrase “privileges or immunities” may be unfamiliar today, but as Justice Thomas’s concurrence shows, 19th-century Americans used it synonymously with a term modern Americans know very well: rights. After the Civil War, officials throughout the South systematically violated the rights of newly freed blacks and white abolitionists in their states and sought to keep them in abject poverty and terror. The whole point in amending the Constitution to add the 14th Amendment—and with it the Privileges or Immunities Clause—was to end the pervasive culture of oppression and tyranny by state and local governments. As the Institute for Justice explained in its amicus brief, two rights the Privileges or Immunities Clause was clearly intended to protect were armed self-defense and economic liberty.

But the Supreme Court essentially wrote the Privileges or Immunities Clause out of the 14th Amendment in an 1873 decision called the Slaughter-House Cases. The result was predictably disastrous: Those who were politically disenfranchised would continue to be economically marginalized and stripped of any meaningful ability to protect themselves from the vicious reprisals and Klan violence that soon became a shameful hallmark of Reconstruction.

“When the Institute for Justice was founded almost 20 years ago, it was unthinkable to most people that the Supreme Court would ever revisit the Slaughter-House Cases,” said Chip Mellor, IJ’s co-founder and general counsel. “Today’s divided opinion shows the enormous distance we have covered since then and sends a strong signal that the Court cannot remain out of step with the original meaning of the Constitution forever.”

The other Justices who voted to strike down the gun ban did not join Justice Thomas’ interpretation of the Privileges or Immunities Clause. Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the four-justice plurality, found “no reason to reconsider [Slaughter-House’s] interpretation here,” instead relying on a set of precedents outlining a “substantive due process” inquiry into “whether the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to our scheme of ordered liberty.”

Justice Thomas rejected this sort of free-floating inquiry, suggesting that the Court should focus on questions of what the text of the Constitution means, rather than on which rights judges find sufficiently fundamental. “To be sure, interpreting the Privileges or Immunities Clause may produce hard questions,” Justice Thomas’ opinion acknowledges. “But they will have the advantage of being questions the Constitution asks us to answer.”

“People who are worried about judicial activism should be worried about the fact that eight justices today argued that the question of whether Americans enjoy a right to keep and bear arms would come down to the abstract question of how ‘fundamental’ that right is,” said IJ Staff Attorney Robert McNamara. “Justice Thomas’ opinion points toward principled judicial engagement. Judges will be constrained by what the provisions of the Constitution actually meant when they were adopted, but at the same time they must give full force to the powerful protections for individual rights encompassed in the 14th Amendment.”

“Overturning the Slaughter-House Cases was one of the Institute for Justice’s founding goals, and today’s decision gives that mission new vigor,” concluded Mellor. “IJ has fought and will continue to fight for principled judicial engagement, which means that courts should strike down when the executive or legislative branches violate individual rights or exceed powers enumerated in the Constitution. Today’s divided Court opens the door to restoring the 14th Amendment as a crucial bulwark of individual liberty against overreaching government power. We are confident the Court’s understanding of the law will soon catch up to the scholarly consensus, and IJ stands ready to help defend the rights of all Americans to live their lives free from abuse at the hands of state governments.”

Journalists can find comprehensive material on the Privileges or Immunities Clause by visiting: www.ij.org/PorI.

Greg Haws Treasurer Candidate Information

2009-06-02T09:18:00.001-06:00

• Greg Haws Letter
• Greg Haws Biography

John Bond Treasurer Candidate Information

2009-06-02T09:17:00.001-06:00

• John Bond Letter
• John Bond Resume

PRESS RELEASE - April, 24, 2008

2008-04-29T20:45:00.005-06:00

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April, 24, 2008; Contact: Sheryl Devereaux: 801-607-2189; 801-910-5600
Utah Federation of Republican Women kick off Anticipated Conference With Landstuhl Hospital Care Project Goodwill Drive

Utah Federation of Republican Women announces a statewide campaign to gather outerwear for the troops in the Middle East in conjunction with Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (LHCP), a 501C(3) Non-Profit action care program designed to provide injured discharged military with appropriate clothing and other necessities for their return home. White cotton t-shirts and plain black cotton shorts are the key articles of clothing collected because they are comfortable, loose fitting, and light-weight for the heat of Iraq while remaining free from becoming obstructive to any equipment or medical apparatus connected to the cots.

Vickie McCall, director of the project on the west coast is pleased to have the assistance of the Utah Federation of Republican Women in a major drive to collect as many sets of t-shirts and shorts, or a monetary donation, from now until the announcement of the results of the drive at the conference, “From Sea to Shining Sea”, Saturday, June 28, ’08, from 11AM ‘til 4 PM at the Miller SLCC Campus in Sandy. For an extremely reasonable price, we have a rare opportunity to have this caliber of experts teach us about the issues facing our troops and country as we battle in a misunderstood continent, full of complex cultures and peoples and philosophical conundrums.

The Conference will feature Ms. McCall as the Key Note speaker. She will present insights as part of a contingency of civilian military that toured Southwest Asia. She speaks throughout the United States detailing her eyewitness account of the circumstances and goings on overseas.

The conference welcomes three other special guest speakers including two renown middle east experts: Victor Ludlow, PhD, who serves as the Coordinator of the Near Eastern Studies program at BYU; and Donna Lee Bowen, PhD, Director of the Middle East/Arabic program at BYU, born out of 911. Dr Ludlow’s presentation includes the cultures, politics, religions, history, and where these cultures may be headed. Dr. Bowen will present information fresh from her most recent return from the Middle East only days before the conference. Additionally, Barbara Melendez, a well-respected Immigration Attorney will address the complexities of American Citizenship. Lunch is included in the conference registration fee.

More information about the conference can be obtained by sending a request emailed to: lebeauxtrois@yahoo.com with “conference” in the text.

Monetary donations can be made on-line by going to PayPal.com and entering ufrw@hotmail.com. Please specify in the text box “LHCP donation” if you are not registering for the conference at the same time. For your donations of t-shirts and shorts, please email lebeauxtrois@yahoo.com with the word “donations” and your locality in the text for the drop off location near you. Or visit LHCP online at landstuhlhospitalcareproject.org.

PRESS RELEASE - April, 24, 2008

2008-04-29T20:39:00.003-06:00

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, April, 24, 2008; Contact: Sheryl Devereaux: 801-607-2189; 801-910-5600
Utah Federation of Republican Women Sponsors Landstuhl Hospital Care Project to kick off Conference Goodwill Drive

Utah Federation of Republican Women announces a statewide campaign to gather outerwear for the troops in the Middle East in conjunction with Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (LHCP), a 501C(3) Non-Profit action care program designed to provide injured discharged military with appropriate clothing and other necessities for their return home. White cotton t-shirts and plain black cotton shorts are the key articles of clothing collected because they are comfortable, loose fitting, and light-weight for the heat of Iraq while remaining free from becoming obstructive to any equipment or medical apparatus connected to the cots. If you are interested in donating t-shirts and shorts please email lebeauxtrois@yahoo.com with “donations” and your locality in the text, for drop-off locations near you. Please specify your locality. Monetary donations can be made on-line by going to PayPal.com and entering ufrw@hotmail.com. Please specify in the text box “LHCP donation” if you are not registering for the conference at the same time.
Vickie McCall, director of the project on the west coast is pleased to have the assistance of the Utah Federation of Republican Women in a major drive to collect as many sets of t-shirts and shorts, or a monetary donation, from now until the announcement of the results of the drive at the conference, “From Sea to Shining Sea”, Saturday, June 28, ’08, from 11AM ‘til 4 PM at the Miller SLCC Campus in Sandy. More information about the conference can be obtained by going to lebeauxtrois@yahoo.com with “conference” in the text.

Mail-in Registration Form

2008-04-29T20:12:00.003-06:00

Registration and payment must be received no later than June 25, 2008.

NAME: ___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________

STATE____________________ ZIP __________ PHONE (____) ______________

NUMBER ATTENDING IN PARTY: __________

REPUBLICAN WOMEN REGISTRATION: We invite you to become a member of a Utah Federation of Republican Women club near you. Conference attendees that sign up for membership in a Utah Federation of Republican Women affiliated club will be given a $20 discount off the combined registrations of the conference and the first year membership enrollment dues (first time members only).

CONFERENCE PRE-REGISTRATION -- $35 X (__ ) = ___________
(Registration at the door $45) # ATTENDING

UFRW AFFILIATED REPUBLICAN WOMEN CLUB (Optional)
ANNUAL DUES FEE (May vary by Club) -- $20 X (______)* + ___________
# OF NEW MEMBERS

SUBTOTAL = __________

NEW MEMBER DISCOUNT -$20 X (______)* - ___________
# OF NEW MEMBERS

GRAND TOTAL PAID FOR CONFERENCE = __________

Payment can be made by sending a check with this registration form to:
UFRW or on-line at paypal.com
c/o Darcy Kruitbosch Click on ‘Send Money’ tab,
PO Box 1562

Aaron Bludworth - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Chairman

2007-06-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

I have a very good relationship with Lt. Gov. Herbert, we are friends. Gary and I worked together in the Elephant Club, raising money for the state party many years before he was Lt. Gov. He and I have also worked together on many projects since he was elected with the Governor, primarily our joint efforts have still been fundraising related.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

b. US Constitution

c. Utah State Constitution

Earlier this year I read all of the above documents in the course of preparing for and teaching citizenship merit badges to a local scout troop, prior to that it had been some time since I had read the documents in their entirety. I support each of these documents and was refreshed by my recent readings.

d. Republican Party Constitution

e. Republican Party Platform

I have read each of these documents a couple of times in the last several weeks.

2) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

See above answers.

3) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

I believe in God. Leaders who believe in God, have in most cases, contributed greatly to our nation and state when embracing their beliefs and demonstrating their commitment to the principles they believe represent God.

4) If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

I will need to get the administrative aspects of the party in solid order prior to really beginning to address the real objectives (or concurrent to), including beginning the search and hiring process for an executive director and other staff. Though, very quickly, I plan to begin working with the counties to develop plans for identifying candidates for legislative seats that we have risk of losing or do not currently posses – the time is now for us to identify and begin inspiring candidates to maintain our legislative strength. I also plan to make an immediate plea to the business community and Republicans at large to increase their contributions to assist the party in getting our Republican message out to the community and media and funding candidates that can win.

I welcome other questions via e-mail or cell phone from any delegates directly.

Sincerely,

Aaron Bludworth
801-231-2225 (m)
aaron@aaronbludworth.com

Steve Harmsen - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Chairman

2007-06-05T09:41:00.001-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

Yes, very good. I was on the statewide selection committee for the new voting machines and had a lot to do with the Lt. Gov's office.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

Yes I have; but not all in the last year.

b. U.S. Constitution

See above.

c. Utah State Constitution

d. Utah State Republican Party Constitution

e. Utah State Republican Party Platform

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

Yes I will.

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

Yes and Yes.

If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

Establish a professional office staff.

Establish a set of goals and priorities that are acceptable to officers and get them implemented with our new professional office staff i e mailing, data storage and retrival you can access, web site, internet blogs, etc develop a plan for more grass roots participation.

Chris Laurence - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Chairman

2007-06-05T09:35:00.000-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

I am not currently in a position which would require me to contact the Lt. Governor's office. As party chairman, I intend to have good relations with our elected officials.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

b. US Constitution

c. Utah State Constitution

d. Republican Party Constitution

e. Republican Party Platform

I read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution periodically, though I have not done so for a few years. I've only read the Utah State Constitution, Republican Party Constitution, and Republican Party Platform on an as-needed basis.

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

The chairman takes over immediately upon election on Saturday. Though I cannot read them by that time, I will of necessity.

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

Yes, of course. It is impossible for belief in God not to have an impact on Governmental philosophy. There are broad Judeo-Christian ethics that form the agreed-upon basis of American society.

5) If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

The first priority would be to get the fundamentals of party infrastructure in place. A new executive director, direction and work for the staff, ramp up the fundraising machine to ensure financial stability. Second would be candidate recruitment and policy meetings regarding the current issues most pressing upon the minds of the public.

Thanks for the opportunity to express a few of my views.

Chris Laurence
Chairman Candidate
(435)755-0036
chrislaurence@comcast.net
Campaign Blog

Ronald H. Levine - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Chairman

2007-06-05T09:30:00.001-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

Every time I have been in the Lt. Governor's office or called them on the telephone they have provided prompt, efficient and courteous service as they would provide for anyone. I am able to communicate well with just about everyone. I'm even able to get Democrats to vote for Republican candidates and put campaign signs in their yards and defend their position to their Democrat friends and neighbors by finding conservative common ground in my long history of campaigning door-to-door for for Utah Republican Party platform adherent Republicans. Most Republicans hearing that a person will not be voting for our candidate because they are a Democrat would promptly go on to the next door. I ask if the reason they are a Democrat is because their parents and grandparents were before them as this is often this is the case. Then I ask if they were conservative. This is often a sure thing as Utah is generally conservative and the older generations were generally much more conservative. Then I show them the radical ideas of their Democrat candidate and speak on their Democrat Party not being the same as it was and that it was once much more conservative than it is now and I ask if their conservative parents and grandparents would have voted for that. Most exclaim: Certainly Not! Then they are just often minutes away from asking to have me place the Republican candidate's sign in their yard! Yes, I do expect to communicate well with the Lieutenant Governor and my message will always be centered on Republican principles of our Utah Republican Party platform.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

Tuesday, June 29, 2007

b. US Constitution

Friends and I discussed it as recently as Friday evening at 7 P.M. from an historical perspective in the days of our Founding Fathers. I refer to it often. It concerns me greatly that we as a nation are not following our Constitution and even our sovereignty is threatened with open borders and a move to merge Canada, Mexico and our United States of America into the North American Union.

c. Utah State Constitution

Four years ago and seven years ago and I especially liked that we have very strong gun rights and I have held our legislators to this when they have considered gun control bills and I have worked effectively at getting ones who vote for gun control to be voted out of office by their own constituents.

d. Republican Party Constitution

late last night and the Party Bylaws, too.

e. Republican Party Platform

Late last night and it is referenced in just about every e-mail and post that I make that is of a political nature.

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

I love this question. Our public servants take an oath to uphold our Constitution, yet our Utah legislature needs to read it carefully to not betray these principles with the bills they pass. In that spirit, my former State Representative, Morgan Philpot sponsored a bill that became Utah State Law. Aside from making Bill of Rights Day (December 15) and Constitution Day (September 17) official Utah State holidays, it also required that term of the legislature to read the Bill of Rights in it's entirety before they can start a legislative session. I do read these documents. I will continue to keep them handy and refer to them.

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

Yes. Our Constitutional republic form of representative self-government with all of it's checks and balances is Divinely inspired. It works. We should not stray from it. It is tested and proven. In thousands of years of history of hundreds of nations, none has become nearly as successful as our United States of America. With freedom, rugged individualists to made our nation prosperous and strong and able to defend itself. Yet, we hear the Democrats call themselves "progressive" and cry for "change" and even among Republicans, we hear we should "move forward." All of that means change. We are changing to less freedom and social architecture and socialism which is a proven failure in every nation that has attempted it. Losing our sovereignty at first to early stages of global governance would be a horrific loss for all of our future generations. I want to keep our Divinely inspired Constitutional republic form of representative self-government with all of it's checks and balances for our posterity.

5) If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

As official spokesperson for the Utah Republican Party, I would reach out to the people of Utah for them to learn what Republican really means from the perspective of our too often ignored Utah Republican Party platform as ratified by their precinct caucus elected delegates. I would prominently feature it on our website and speak on it and promote it as is the duty of the chairman. I will not set it aside and hide it to prevent embarrassment our elected Republican public servants who betray it as my duty is to promoting the Republican principles of the greater than a million Republicans throughout Utah. They have the voting power to elect platform adherent Republicans to be their public servants.

I will create a system that makes it easy for individuals of the general public to contribute specifically to the candidates of their choice to fundraise for our Republican candidates. Within that system on the internet and by telephone and in person and by mail, there will be an option for choosing 5% of that to be for general operating expenses of the Party. Knowing that their hard earned money goes where they want it to go to work for their causes and not against and not drained by mismanagement will do more to encourage contributions than anything else. People who contribute want to know that their contribution is used for their cause. They will! Raising a few million dollars for candidates will easily produce funds to cover operating expenses including the debt just from those who choose to check that optional 5% box when contributing to funds dedicated to the candidates of their individual choices. Party leaders do not need to control huge amounts of money and improperly influence our candidates. There won't be the Party influences on our candidates to betray our principles to receive funding as the power to decide where the funding goes will be with the voters as contributors who are voting with their dollars as they will similarly vote with their votes. It fits. They are the ones to decide. The candidates can be free to be as true to our platform as they choose as the people who want them will contribute and they are also the ones to campaign for them and vote for them. Betray the Republican voters by giving them candidates who betray our platform and we will see a continuation of major Republican losses in this next election. I am running for chairman to prevent that. The key is to treat the people like voters who are the ones to make their choices because they are. I won't say give us money and trust us to spend it properly. As with everything else, individuals want to make their choices of where their dollars go. When they can do that with their Republican Party, then they will contribute like never before. This, in sharp contrast from corporate interests contributing, the influence will be greater numbers of individual contributors voting with their dollars on funding their favorite candidates.

Ronald H Levine
RonaldHLevine@aideq.com
Midvale, Utah
801-566-2112 after 5 weekdays and sometimes late and I'm in and out of my office on weekends.

Stan Lockhart - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Chairman

2007-06-05T09:22:00.001-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

I've known Lt. Governor Herbert for at least 15 years. We have a good relationship.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

Within the last few months.

b. US Constitution

Within the last year.

c. Utah State Constitution

I've read parts of it in the last few months.

d. Republican Party Constitution

I was on the State Constitution & Bylaws Committee from 2003 - 2005 and was the author of several minor changes. I've reviewed it again in the last few weeks.

e. Republican Party Platform

I've read it several times since I submitted my name for Party Chair.

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

I'll commit to reread them within the next 30 days.

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

Our Party platform begins "We, the Republican Party of the Great State of Utah, affirm our belief in God and declare our support for government based upon a moral and spiritual foundation". I agree.

5) If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

Focus on getting Republicans elected in November 2008 through organizing well at the state, county and precinct levels.

Immediately begin fundraising by approaching those I've raised funds from in the past and putting together a well financed and properly managed state party operation utilizing a variety of fundraising programs.

Drew Chamberlain - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Vice-chairman

2007-06-05T09:12:00.001-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

Yes, I have known Gary Herbert for several years and worked with him on some transportation issues.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

3 months ago.

b. U.S. Constitution

3 months ago.

c. Utah State Constitution

5 years ago.

d. Utah State Republican Party Constitution

About a month ago.

e. Utah State Republican Party Platform

Last week.

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

Yes I do. Our belief in God is the very foundation of our free government.

If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

1. Promote our platform, principles and values.

2. Ensure that our party rules are followed and we all have a fair and honest process to use.

Contact me at 801-282-4877

Thanks,

Drew Chamberlain
801-282-4877

Jack A. Powers - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Vice-chairman

2007-06-05T09:07:00.000-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

I have an excellent relationship with the Lt. Governor's Office. We have worked together on several projects over the years. We first met when I was touring Utah for the Aerospace Industry trying to develop businesses in Utah County to support aircraft manufacturing.

Before leaving for his Church Mission 16 months ago (the son serving in Puerto Rico as the other one is serving in Houston South Mission right now), my son applied for a Volunteer Internship with the Lt. Governor's Office. However, the Governor's Office, familiar with his work habits, exercised first rights and it ended up he Interned for the Governor in Constituents Affairs.

I have known the Lt. Governor and considered him a friend for almost two decades.

2)When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

When I was representing Utah at the Republican National Convention in Philly- 2000. It was inspiring to read it then.

b. U.S. Constitution

The entire thing at one sitting or what is relevant to what I am researching at the moment? I read Article XIV within the last week regarding a question that came up in an egroup. The entire Constitution at some time or other over the past 5-10 years. I have a copy of "The American Constitution Cases and Materials" by Wm B. Lockhart, Yale Kamisar & Jesse H. Choper on my bookshelf and reference doing research. I am not an attorney.

c. Utah State Constitution

Like the U.S. Constitution I have read sections of it here and there depending upon the subject I am researching at the moment. The last time was about a year ago. Over the last 5-10 years I have read it all.

d. Utah State Republican Party Constitution

Yesterday. I stay up on this because I since 2002 I have served on or Chaired the Salt Lake County Convention and/or State Convention Rules Committee.

e. Utah State Republican Party Platform

Within the last month. A friend and I were discussing some issues on it.

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

Not applicable, but I do read them often as I research various issues.

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

Yes and yes. I believe the reason our country is as great as it is comes from the Judeo-Christian Philosophies impact on our government at its foundation. I note those belief also allows for respecting others' belief in their form of God or no God at all.

If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

1- Resource Management- Monday, June 11th I will be at Party HQ doing an inventory on what needs to be tracked in a Data Library, Supplies on hand, and our fiscal situation. Then, I will immediately begin organizing what we have, discovering what we need and do not have, and determining how to fill the holes.

2- Communications- Call all the County Chairs, Elected Officials and others as possible to ask them of what they need and how to contact me- Jack Powers 801-495-9392

Todd Weiler - Candidate for Utah Republican Party Vice-chairman

2007-06-05T08:56:00.000-06:00

Legislative District 6 Questionaire Response

1) Do you have a good relationship with the Lt. Governor's office? If so, why? If not, what will you do to ensure that you develop a good relationship?

Absolutely, yes. Gary and I speak on a regular basis. I also have a good relationship with Gary's staff.

2) When was the last time you've read the following documents:

a. Declaration of Independence

Today, now that you asked. I have a copy hanging on my wall in my office.

b. U.S. Constitution

See above.

c. Utah State Constitution

I read parts of the Utah Constitution on a regular basis, as I am a lawyer.

d. Utah State Republican Party Constitution

Last Thursday.

e. Utah State Republican Party Platform

Last Thursday.

3) For any of the documents in question 2 that you have not read, will you commit to reading them before taking office?

YES.

4) Do you believe in God? Should a belief in God have any impact on Governmental philosophy? (Note I am not asking if you belong to a specific church, or any church at all—that's not the point of this question.)

YES and YES.

If elected, what will be your first one or two priorities to address?

1. Getting good Republicans elected with a balanced budget with more fundraising for the state party.

2. Improving the state party's relationship with elected officials.

Todd Weiler
toddweiler@comcast.net
801-599-9823 cell