On Friday, September 9, 2011, it came to my attention that an email(s) has been circulating about a blog post that was uploaded to my RedState.com account on June 17, 2010 without my permission and attributed to me.  I have removed this post from my RedState.com account because it does not represent me or my views and it disparages people I support.

Of all the candidates running for Congress in Utah, I am the only one that has devoted my entire adult life to advocating for conservative values from the local to the United Nations-levels of governance, including the STOP ERA campaign in Illinois, which ultimately led to the halt of ERA ratification.

With this said, there has been a terrible misunderstanding. I do not know the intent of the email sender that forwarded this blog post, but I feel it necessary to appropriately clear my name, including additional background on the confusion and questionable blog post.

If you should receive such an email, please notify the sender, or any others who may have received this false blog information, of the errors, so as to stop its circulation.

Upon investigation of the source, a local Utah blogger identified herself as the author who had been asked to write it and who was erroneously told that I “enthusiastically approved it.”

The post in question disparaged a Senator that I admire.  Throughout my campaign for U.S. Senate I was asked which Senator most resembled my political philosophy.  Without hesitation, I responded:  Senator Jim DeMint.  In fact, in 2009 I was in Washington, DC and attended his book signing.  He autographed a copy of Saving Freedom, which I have read, annotated and which I support wholeheartedly.

The post also besmirched Senator Mike Lee using a tone of voice that is not my style. In fact, immediately after the Primary, I endorsed him, offered to help his campaign, and hosted a fundraiser for him.  He is now doing an excellent job as our freshman Senator from Utah.  I support both Senators DeMint and Lee in their quest for limited government and a return to Constitutional principles.

Faithfully,

Cherilyn Eagar
Candidate U.S. Congress 2012, 2nd District
www.Eagar2012.com

Ed. Note:  I wish to thank the Ogden Standard-Examiner in Utah for having the political courage to publish this guest editorial.  The Deseret News, one of Utah’s pro-amnesty news outlets, declined to print it.   Visit my personal blog at www.CherilynEagar.com for more opinion editorials and comments.  –CBE

Recently, I was in New Orleans on business. As I strolled down Bourbon Street, I was alarmed to see innocent young girls dressed and working as prostitutes, standing in the doorways with older men lurking over their shoulders coaching them in the trade.  Even more disturbing were the New Orleans police who patrolled the streets with an air of “business as usual,” blind to the horrid crimes against minors surrounding them.

The suffering New Orleans economy, post-Katrina and post-BP Gulf oil leak disaster, thrives on this underground business, similar to the many U.S. employers who turn a blind eye to reap the benefits of cheap labor from illegal aliens. 

The media has capitalized on the 1,300 frightened people of “The List”— some of whom may have been wrongfully accused. Insults from amnesty proponents compare this “List” to Nazi / Hitler-tactics. To my Jewish friends, this is the highest ethnic insult and should be respectfully reserved for Holocaust survivors only. It is also a flawed analogy because Jews, prior to the Third Reich, were legal and lawful citizens.

Enough is enough. Emotions and finger-pointing from all sides are raging. We desperately need pragmatic problem-solving right now.

Right, wrong or illegal, according to news reports, many on the “List” reside and work in Utah illegally unfettered by the Feds or state law enforcement. Together with a politically-elite open border policy, this is the heart of the problem.  Now legal citizens, elected officials, law enforcement officials and bureaucratic agents face a huge ethical and legal dilemma.

It is time to return to the core issue: Illegal Aliens in Utah. We applaud Attorney General Mark Shurtleff’s enthusiasm and zeal to bring justice to those who may have broken the law by disclosing private information. We now urge that same enthusiasm and zeal in prosecuting the illegal aliens on this and every list our government keeps. 

Amnesty proponent Tony Yapias admitted his phone was ringing around the clock with people beyond those on the “List” who are terrified.  Immigration attorney Mark Alvarez has publicly stated that illegal aliens in Utah are breaking the law. Then he gave them advice on how to protect themselves:  follow the law and don’t get caught. This lack of respect for our legal system is astounding.

If someone in your neighborhood is breaking the law, what is your responsibility? We have elected officials to high office to protect our communities, state and nation. Like many hoping for common-sense immigration reform to solve the problem locally and nationally, I ask the Utah Attorney General to also prosecute those who are aiding, abetting and acting as accomplices to the felonies, which 75 percent of illegal aliens routinely commit: document fraud and identity theft. That doesn’t even include the large numbers who are directly connected to the drug cartels and drug-related crimes. 

As AG Mark Shurtleff joins with Salt Lake’s Police Chief Chris Burbank and County Sheriff Jim Winder to ignore the real problems resulting from illegal immigration, they are intrinsically creating and fostering a crime culture in Utah similar to New Orleans. What’s worse, the “see no evil, hear no evil” approach is demolishing our Constitution and the pursuit of happiness. 

This past week, a select group of 30 to 40 members of the community attended Governor Gary Herbert’s roundtable on illegal immigration. In coming weeks, the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration will present to Utah legislators a realistic resolution to curb the failed immigration policies of the past.

Cherilyn Eagar,  former U.S. Senate candidate (R-UT) 2010 was rated the “True Reform” candidate by the Washington D.C.-based immigration policy organization NumbersUSA.  She is the Vice President of WebsTarget, a Salt Lake City-based real estate Internet marketing company.

The following statement was issued to the media today in response to false accusations against me, Ron Mortensen, chairman of Citizens for Tax Fairness and other leaders of Utah’s Coalition On Illegal Immigration.  This comes on the heels of several interviews recently in which we have requested Utah’s Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to enforce the law on Utah’s books, to support Arizona’s new law and to get behind Utah Representative Steve Sandstrom’s Arizona-like immigration bill.

Our coalition represents thousands of Utah citizens and is confident that the vast majority of Utahns want to stop the flood of illegal immigrants who are taking advantage of our social entitlements, who are bringing drugs across the border and who are stealing children’s social security numbers.  We have been successful at the state legislature in passing good laws to reduce illegal immigration and to protect our children from identity theft.  We will be meeting with Utah’s Governor Gary Herbert later in July to discuss necessary solutions.

SALT LAKE CITY—July 13, 2010—Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah, a pro-illegal immigrant activist group, has wrongfully accused citizen members of the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration and its spokesman Ronald Mortensen of disclosing an allegedly proprietary government list of individuals who are in Utah illegally.

Mortensen said, “To my personal knowledge our coalition knew nothing of this list and had nothing to do with its disclosure. I believe this act goes over the line. Our entire focus is on protecting the personal information of individuals against improper use and disclosure. We denounce whoever compiled and released this list, and ask them to respect and uphold Utah’s privacy laws.”

Mortensen accused Mr. Yapias of slander and libel, and demanded an immediate, public retraction by Mr. Yapias on threat of potential legal action.

Former U.S. Senate Candidate Cherilyn Eagar said, “Mr. Yapias is out of line to hold Mr. Mortensen responsible. The coalition is a group of citizen volunteers who have successfully worked to put solid legislation in place. We want our elected officials to enforce those laws and to work within our legislative system to enact laws that will keep our children and families safe.  This is the duty of our government and this is the message we will take with us to the Governor’s meeting later this month.”

 Mortensen added, “From the County Sherriff, to the City Police Chief, to the state legislature and our governor, we are about promoting the safety of our children and families from illegal alien driven identity theft and other serious crimes.”

###

Stay Connected Online:

Blog Site:  www.CherilynEagar.com

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This op ed piece was published in the Salt Lake Tribune today.  To read it, click here:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/49891927-82/law-illegal-utah-arizona.html.csp

For more info on Cherilyn Eagar, Utah’s Commonsense Conservative, go to www.CherilynEagar.com

The Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration sent out this news release today.  As an active member of this coalition, I urge all Americans to support those states actively working to protect themselves from the onslaught of the importation of poverty, crime, drugs and terrorism across our borders.  We must stand in solidarity for our state sovereignty. 

Stay Connected Online:

Blog Site:  www.CherilynEagar.com  

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100001135497134  

Follow Me:  http://twitter.com/cherilyneagar

Here is the text:

Coalition Questions Shurtleff’s Refusal to Enforce Law, Recent Appeal to LDS Church & “Guest Worker” Program Negotiations As Failure to Execute Duties of Attorney General

Salt Lake City —July 7, 2010—Leaders of the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration believe Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff may be failing in his duties to his office. These groups cite Shurtleff’s refusal to enforce existing immigration laws, his attempt to use his position to influence law-abiding church policy thereby thwarting First Amendment rights, and his attempt to negotiate a Mexican state “guest worker” program as reasons to seriously question his ability to uphold his responsibility as Utah’s attorney general.

With mounting pressure on taxpayer-subsidized entitlement programs and the Utah workforce, the coalition requests Attorney General Mark Shurtleff not only enforce the laws, but also support Arizona in defending its law against a federal court challenge. The coalition encourages Utah’s lawmakers to join the growing movement toward state-enforcement of immigration law, which the federal government has neglected for so long. 

            “Shurtleff’s efforts to enlist The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support individuals committing work-related felonies go beyond the Attorney General’s responsibilities,” said Ronald Mortensen, coalition spokesman and co-founder of CitizensForTaxFairness.org. “Rather than defending illegal immigrants, the Attorney General must support Arizona’s efforts to defend itself just as enthusiastically as he has supported other states in their fight for gun rights and in their opposition to federal health care reform legislation.”  

By appealing to LDS officials, Shurtleff joined with the demands of illegal immigrant activists such as Proyecto Latino de Utah’s Tony Yapias. Recently, Yapias orchestrated a letter-writing campaign pressuring LDS leaders to oppose illegal immigration legislation, which directly rebuffs the LDS church’s time-honored principle of “obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.” Shurtleff’s opposition to an Arizona-type law also lends support to the goals of other militant groups such as the separatist Brown Berets and anarchist Revolutionary Students Union.

According to Congressional Budget Office report, The Impact of Unauthorized

Immigrants on the Budgets of State and Local Governments, 75 percent of illegal immigrants are committing felonies including fraud, perjury, and tax evasion.  NumbersUSA reports that over 40 percent of guest workers intentionally overstay their visas and then become part of the illegal immigrant landscape. “If the Federal government won’t do its job, then we must work through state legislation,” stated Cherilyn Eagar, the former U.S. Senate candidate honored as “Immigration Reform Candidate” by national immigration policy organization NumbersUSA. “Attorney General Shurtleff and Utah’s Sutherland Institute want to implement a guest worker amnesty-style program for Utah’s 100,000 illegal immigrants. By doing so, they encourage and condone these crimes. Shurtleff needs to attend to his duties and should not be wrongfully coercing the LDS church.” 

Coalition leaders agree that illegal immigration is not a matter of race, profiling or separatism. The coalition believes compassion is an individual choice, not a public mandate.  Those who circumvent the legal process jeopardize society on many levels including taking American citizens’ jobs, using taxpayer-funded services, engaging in illegal activities and undermining national security. “The rule of law is fundamental to freedom and religious liberty.  Our immigration laws require responsibility and accountability,” said Utah Eagle Forum President Gayle Ruzicka. “We welcome those who come here legally and who benefit American society. Compassion is an admirable trait, but our first priority is compassion for American citizens who are forced to bear the serious consequences and costs resulting from people who choose to ignore and break the law.”

Coalition members include Ronald Mortensen, coalition spokesman and co-founder of Citizens for Tax Fairness.org; Robert Wren, chairman of UFIRE; Jim Flohr, vice chairman, Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration of Washington County; Eli Cawley, Utah Minutemen Project; Gayle Ruzicka, president, Utah Eagle Forum; and Cherilyn Eagar, former U.S. Senate candidate and Utah’s Common Sense Conservative.

#             #             # 

This past week there have been press releases and campaign advertisements by people and outside groups claiming the Tea Party has endorsed Mike Lee. Many supporters of the Utah Tea Party think these statements may have been a little presumptions and premature. The Utah Tea Party is a movement of fiscal responsibility. We are a group of individuals with diverse ideas and suggestions among our membership–all views are welcome. Over the past year and a half, we have coordinated with other groups, rallied, written our congressmen, put on delegate training, and encouraged all to get involved in the process. Our combined efforts changed some 70% of the delegates on Caucus night. We proved the process works. At convention, we actually defeated a three-term incumbent senator and replaced him with not one, but two Tea Party candidates. Who would have ever believed it? By any measure, we have already won beyond our dreams.

Two promising Tea Party Candidates are now on tomorrow’s ballot, vying for our U.S. Senate seat. Today celebrities, outside interests, and politicians all endorse their candidate in a chorus of confusing passions. I am often asked by fellow citizens, “Who should I vote for?” Regrettably, the truth–in a din of ill-conceived comments and accusations–can be difficult to discover. For the past 16 months the Utah Tea Party has not taken any position in the senate race between Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee.

Some will try to spin the debate between Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee as a rift in the Utah Tea Party. Nothing could be further from the truth. In terms of principle, both candidates are Tea Party candidates. In terms on preference there is a difference and that is what our democratic process is all about. The beautiful thing about our process is that it invites debate. Debating facts, not rumor, should be the hall mark of the Tea Party and indeed all citizens.

There are some misconceptions about Tim Bridgewater that need to be corrected. Some have said the majority of Tea Party members support Mike Lee. However, 57% of the delegates voted for Tim Bridgewater at convention and many delegates are Utah Tea Party supporters. Some have said Tim Bridgewater’s public acceptance of Senator Bennett’s endorsement says he no longer wishes to distinguish himself apart from Senator Bennett. This is not logical. Does Tim Bridgewater’s acceptance of Cherilyn Eagar’s endorsement say he no longer wishes to distinguish himself from Cherilyn Eagar? Tim Bridgewater has former opponents–both to the left and to the right of him–who think he is the best for the job. On the same note, does Mike Lee’s public acceptance of Mark Shurtleff say he no longer wishes to distinguish himself from Mark Shurtleff and his views on immigration?

The fact is, Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater BOTH courted Bennett’s endorsement. They both know they need Bennett supporters to win. This is no surprise. What is surprising, however, is some people think Mike Lee didn’t actively go after Bennett’s support. What would Mike Lee’s supporters say if Senator Bennett had decided to endorse Mike Lee? Senator Bennett supporters voting for Tim Bridgewater is not news. Look at Mike Lee’s numbers at convention–they went down in every voting round as Tim Bridgewater picked up Senator Bennett’s and Cherilyn Eagar’s support. Even last Friday a poll was released by KSL that shows Tim Bridgewater up by 9 points over Mike Lee–further evidence Tim Bridgewater has a strong support among the Republican base.

Mike Lee is a lawyer. Lawyers make rules. Mike Lee hopes to bring Constitutional principles back into the senate debate–a most worthy goal. Tim Bridgewater is a businessman. Businessmen make jobs. Tim Bridgewater understands the entrepreneurial spirit flourishes in a free-market system where more jobs will be created for all.

As we look across the battlefield of ideas on the morning of June 23rd what will we see? 1/2 of our fellow Republicans will be elated victors–and 1/2 will be losers. That number represents our friends, colleagues, and people from our own party. These are people who believe as we do on many, many issues. Will some who have participated on opposing sides of this great contest no longer be friends? That would be a tragedy. I do not believe in slash-and-burn politics.

I trust the people of Utah to make the right choice–based on facts and not emotions. Please go to each of the candidates’ websites one last time, review the debates, and check out what each candidate stands for. In the end, leaders and outside groups should not decide who our representatives will be–you the people should decide who will represent us. I will support which ever person the people of Utah decide should be our representative. I encourage all Republicans to do the same. Come Wednesday I look forward to continue calling all of you my friends as we continue our fight to reign in federal spending.

Tomorrow I will vote for Tim Bridgewater for U.S. Senate. You may not feel the same and I welcome your own personal choice. I ask you to please join me on Tuesday in voting for the candidate of YOUR choice–WHOEVER that may be. “Who should you vote for?” You should vote your heart because all of us are smarter than any one of us.

David Kirkham
Utah Tea Party Organizer
(really, just another blade of grass in a vast movement of concerned citizens who want to bring fiscal responsibility back to our government.)
David Kirkham organized Utah’s First Tea Party. David has organized, or helped to organized, some 15 Tea Parties across the state of Utah.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

SOUTH JORDAN, UT—Today former Republican candidate for United States Senate and lifelong conservative activist Cherilyn Eagar announced she is endorsing Tim Bridgewater.  “While Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater are both men I respect and like personally, to me the best choice for Utah is clearly Tim Bridgewater.”

“My decision to endorse Tim stems from observations I made along the campaign trail over several months.  I saw firsthand how Tim and his campaign conducted themselves with respect and integrity with all the candidates.  I could see his leadership directing them to do so.  His lifelong experience as a businessman creating jobs in the private sector here in Utah is no doubt the kind of experience and background Utah needs from its next senator.  Beyond being a strong leader, Tim has demonstrated mature statesmanship.  He may be uncompromising on principles, but he is always willing to listen and to respect those with whom he differs on policies.  I am very proud to be a Tim Bridgewater supporter and will do what I can to help him become Utah’s next U.S. Senator,” said Cherilyn Eagar.

Since narrowly missing the second ballot at the Utah State Republican Convention, Cherilyn Eagar has been busy advocating conservative issues such as immigration and health care reform.  She has also attended both Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater events prior to making her final endorsement.  “This endorsement does not come without deep thought and consideration,” said Cherilyn.  “I feel strongly that now is the time for me to take a stand and tell Utah who I will be supporting on June 22nd.

Cherilyn Eagar is a former U.S. Senate candidate and the vice president of WebsTarget, a Salt Lake City-based real estate Internet marketing company. She is a Republican state delegate who also serves on the board of Utah Federation of Republican Women and has worked on political campaigns in five states since 1964.

I’d like to thank Vern Anderson, Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Page Editor, for publishing an exclusive Op Ed piece I wrote

Read here:

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_15183887

Let me add a few more points:  The tea party/9.12 groups would do well to consider a nationwide campaign to urge all 50 states to adopt Utah’s “caucus/convention” system.  In “Primary” states, the two parties have little to no control over who represents them on the ballot.  If candidates put the initial “R” behind their name, the party has every right to protect its imprimatur (name) and its platform.  The best way to do that is to adopt a “constitutional representative republic” model.  That is exactly what Utah does, and it works well.  To sum up the advantages:

1. It costs less.  (Primaries cost millions.  Caucus/conventions only thousands.)

2. Incumbents can more easily be replaced. (Incumbent Representative Chris Cannon in 2008 – replaced by Jason Chaffetz;  Incumbent Senator Bob Bennett in 2010 – Primary run-off in progress between Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee.)

3. The candidates are more loyal to the party platform.  (This system holds the candidates more accountable.)

4. Anyone can get involved – it’s grassroots.  (If you don’t like what’s happening in Washington, just show up to your local neighborhood caucus and bring enough friends to get elected.)

5. It more carefully vets the candidates.  (Duties of elected delegates are to study all the candidates and represent their neighborhoods and report back to them on which candidate/s they will vote for at the convention.)

Traditional (and Tired) Criticisms

1.  It’s a “closed” system.  (Only to those who stayed home and don’t like the results of what their neighbors who DID show up decided.)

2. It gives the two parties too much control. (Only to those who stayed home and therefore didn’t have a say in the outcome.  In the caucus/convention system the Party is defined by who shows up.)

3.  It attracts the extremes of both parties. (Then next time, those who were disappointed in the outcome may attend their caucus and bring their friends and get elected.)

4. It allows good incumbents to get unseated.  (Only if those who wanted to unseat the good incumbent show up and elect enough delegates to unseat that incumbent.)

I think you get my point:  Those who don’t show up and get involved cannot also rationally sit back and be the Monday night quarterbacks.  If you don’t like the results of this system, show up next time!

Cherilyn Eagar is a former U.S. Senate candidate and the vice president of WebsTarget, a Salt Lake City-based real estate Internet marketing company. She is a Republican state delegate who also serves on the board of Utah Federation of Republican Women and has worked on political campaigns in five states since 1964.

What My Big Brother Ken Taught Me

A Personal Memorial Weekend Message from Cherilyn Eagar
Ken Bacon US Air Force, First Lieutenant

On July 23, 1957 my family received word from the U.S. Air Force that my big brother, Ken Bacon, was missing. He was a test pilot for the F-100 Super Sabre and stationed at George Air Force Base in California. Back then the pilots flew solo in threesomes. On the return flight from Big Spring, Texas, where Ken’s plane had undergone repairs, they were caught in a storm, and Ken’s plane disappeared. His last words were “I see Tucson.”

I was just six years old, but it was an event of such monumental proportions for our family that I still have vivid memories of the month-long search that followed.

I remember the intensity, the extended family and friends gathering in our home, the hushed tones and somber voices. I recall the nightly TV reports with George Putnam announcing a reward for anyone who could find Ken. My family’s unwavering faith in a good outcome translated to my child’s-eye view of this tragic event: I just knew we would find my brother somewhere in the wilderness wandering around eating berries off the bushes while looking for a gas station to fill the plane’s empty tank.

That didn’t happen. In late August the wreckage was discovered pancaked into a mountain near Ely, Nevada. The cause: oxygen failure.

The funeral procession proceeded down Franklin Avenue in Hollywood where the shop owners who had known our family for many years came out and stood in respect for the loss of this fine young man, with his unforgettable broad smile. He left behind a beautiful wife Doris Rasband (now Tino) and a six- month old daughter Debra Lynn (now Hofheins).

It seemed the sky was as blue as Southern California can produce only on a day just after rain. As we stood on the hillside at Forest Lawn Cemetary in Burbank to pay our last respects, the jets zoomed overhead in salute to Ken Bacon’s short 28 years. It was breathtaking. Even at age six, I felt great pride and gratitude to know that he served his country well and that he loved what he was doing. That’s what Ken’s death taught me.

It is the same pride I feel when the Hill Air Force Base fighter jets zoom overhead every Fourth of July Celebration at Provo during Utah’s incredible Stadium of Fire fireworks show. It’s not only breathtaking, it’s a poignant reminder of that hot August day on the cemetary hillside. It’s that same lump in my throat that I feel when I attend the Brigham Young University AFROTC ceremony where Ken Bacon is honored every year for his leadership while a student there. It’s for this cause of freedom that my brother Ken, and others like him, served their country and gave their lives.

Years later I heard my mother’s soft cries from her bedroom. I walked in and asked if she was okay. She said she was fine, “just missing my son.” To the many mothers (and fathers) who have lost their sons and daughters for this great cause and are still “just missing” them: Thank you, and may the Lord bring you peace and comfort.

Special Thanks
It was for this same cause of freedom that 3,500 delegates assembled at the Utah State Republican nominating convention on May 8, 2010 where I was a candidate for the U.S. Senate. My brother Ken, as well as my deceased mother and father, Dorothy and Sam Bacon, would have been so proud to see the dedication and the burning desire to preserve our freedom that filled that convention hall in Salt Lake City.

My many sincere “thanks” go to every single delegate for taking the time to study all the candidates and to be there to let your voice be heard in this terrific election system Utah has – the best in the nation – called the “caucus/convention” system.

I was filled with similar gratitude for the marvelous journey of the past year in our own freedom cause: to end back room deals and to restore principled government. The many wonderful friends all across Utah that my terrific husband Randy and I have made are priceless. Additional friends from all across the nation who became involved from a distance also made a huge difference. Thank you — each and every one!

A Loss or a Win?
In that moment, when we saw the disappointing numbers on the screen telling us that we were not going to proceed to the next round of voting, I was overwhelmed with an incredible peace. Some might have called that moment a real “loss.”

However, as I walked through the convention hall, so many delegates got out of their chairs to shake my hand and share their personal thanks and encouragement to “not go away” and to “do it again!” I was not only very humbled, but I realized this moment, and what we had accomplished despite the numbers, made the journey a real “win.”

After working 18-20 hour days for nearly a year, Randy and I have absolutely no regrets. We wish to acknowledge and publicly thank our extraordinary team. The Eagar Team ran an energetic, clean, and positive campaign. I will be forever grateful to the multitude of volunteers who worked 24/7, risking their jobs and even their health (and definitely their sanity at times!) to execute the enormous tasks with passion and loyalty to this cause of preserving our children’s future of freedom. Thank you!!!

Many thanks also go to those who put their trust in me from near and far, including: my husband Randy Eagar and our adult children, my brother Carl Bacon and my sister Chyleen Bluth and extended family; my longtime friend, mentor and role model Phyllis Schlafly, President of the National Eagle Forum and “First Lady of the Conservative Movement” for her early endorsement; Gayle Ruzicka, President of the Utah Eagle Forum and all the Eagles who stand up for family values and limited government all across this nation; Roy Beck and his great team at Numbers USA for ranking me the highest of the candidates – the “real reform candidate” – on illegal immigration; and Alan Tonelson, Fellow at the U.S. Business and Industry Council for his research in economic/trade matters; Glenn Kimber, The Thomas Jefferson Center for Constitutional Studies; Burt Smith, The National Center for Constitutional Studies; Jane Orient and Dr. George Watson, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, for their knowledge and insights (and for AAPS’ successful fight against Hillarycare and its continuing fight against Obamacare); and for the endorsement of the Utah Republican Assembly and the National Federation of Republican Assemblies.

I extend additional thanks and gratitude to respected Utah officials who had confidence in our campaign and message including Representative Steve Sandstrom, a founder of The Patrick Henry Caucus; Senator Chris Buttars (keep him in your prayers as he recovers from heart surgery); and, from behind the scenes, my long-time friend and mentor – three-time winner of the “Most Conservative” award for Utah leadership, Senator Margaret Dayton.

A thank you also goes to the excellent leadership of our Utah Republican Party Chairman Dave Hansen (and his amazing staff) for the countless hours of service and support of all the candidates and to the local and national media for their extensive coverage of this unusual race.

Finally, I wish to give a public “thank you” to Senator Robert Bennett for serving our nation for these three terms. Although there was disagreement on the issues, he was a gentleman and always treated me with great respect throughout the campaign, as did his son Jim Bennett and their entire campaign team.

And now, congratulations to the two “finalists” Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater who are facing off in a Primary on June 22, 2010. We will be there to unite behind and support the winner for the November election.

May you all have a happy and healthy Memorial Day Weekend with your family and friends. As we grill those hot dogs and hamburgers, make that hole-in-one and splash in the pool, let us not forget those who died to protect the freedom and the values that made this nation great, but that are now under attack. May those who gave their lives not have died in vain, and may we honor them by never shrinking from this fight!

As President Reagan once said,

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

The Eagar Team and I hope you will stay in touch as we work together to strengthen conservative principles to our government.

Cherilyn Eagar