This past Friday, Greg Peterson hosted around 300 of Utah's most politically active conservatives at his cabin at the Timberlakes near Heber City, Utah. The event is a follow up to one held last year with the purpose of healing the rifts formed in the Utah GOP following the hotly contested primary between Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater. Here are some of the highlights:
Jason Chaffetz and Orrin Hatch got within a few feet, but I never saw them talk to each other. Chaffetz has all but officially declared his candidacy for U.S. Senate against the 6 term incumbent.
Jason Chaffetz and Orrin Hatch got within a few feet, but I never saw them talk to each other. Chaffetz has all but officially declared his candidacy for U.S. Senate against the 6 term incumbent.
Speakers
There were a number of speakers, all of whom had to pay a speakers fee of $250, which means all of the speakers probably have political ambitions of some sort. Some of the speakers even announced their candidacies for office. Here is a list of the speakers:
Here are some photos of the speakers:
- John Willoughby - Announced he will be running for Congress in the 2nd Congressional district.
- Mayor Mia Love - Mayor of Saratoga Springs and many expect her to seek higher office as some point, possibly a run for Congress in 2012. She was a crowd favorite.
- Jason Chaffetz - Didn't mention anything about running against Orrin Hatch.
- Craig Frank - Former State Rep, considering a run for governor.
- Christie Kane - Announced she'll be running against John Dougall for Utah's LD 27 seat.
- Chuck Williams - Announced he will be running for Congress in the 2nd Congressional district.
- Sean Reyes - Running for Attorney General of Utah (Mark Shurtleff is not seeking reelection).
- Cherilyn Eagar - Announced she's forming an exploratory committee to run for Congress.
- William Skokos - Greg announced Skokos would be running for governor, but Skokos was quick to deny that he had made such a decision.
- Orrin Hatch - Utah's senior senator was received politely and he spent a lot of time mingling with the crowd.
- Carl Wimmer - Has already announced an exploratory committee for a Congressional run.
- Jonathan Johnson - President of Utah company Overstock.com, was filling in for CEO Patrick Byrne.
- Gary Herbert - Spoke about the state's success in attracting companies to bring new jobs.
- David Kirkham - Tea party leader in Utah spoke about his recent testimony before the Senate Finance Comittee.
- Mike Lee - Gave a lively speech which was greeted by loud applause from the audience.
Here are some photos of the speakers:
Straw Poll Results
All attendees were given a chance to participate in a straw poll. Here are the results:
Republican Presidential Nomination:
U.S. Senate:
Republican Presidential Nomination:
- Mitt Romney - 37% (47 votes)
- Michelle Bachmann - 26% (33 votes)
- Ron Paul - 22% (28 votes)
- Herman Cain - 10% (13 votes)
- John Huntsman - 2% (3 votes)
- Tim Pawlenty - 2% (3 votes)
- Newt Gingrich - .07% (1 vote)
U.S. Senate:
- Jason Chaffetz - 71% (82 votes)
- Orrin Hatch - 29% (33 votes)
- Carl Wimmer - 56% (65 votes)
- Mia Love - 24% (28 votes)
- Cherilyn Eagar 13% (15 votes)
- Chuck Williams 7% (9 votes)
- Yes - 23% (25 votes)
- No - 77% (86 votes)
Hitting Golf Balls into the Lake
Several of the candidates and elected officials tried their hand at a little golf: driving balls into the lake. Governor Herbert was 3 for 3, but Senator Lee wasn't quite so lucky, but he did manage to break the shaft of the driver he was borrowing.
