So it's been what three weeks since AG Mark Shurtleff threw his hat in the ring to challenge Senator Bennett, and four weeks since Tim Bridgewater dropped out of the State GOP race to give our Jr. Senator a run. And now...this week Cherylin Bacon officially announces she's in the race and newcomer James Russell Williams III also announced his intentions to run.
Present at Bacon's announcement was Gayle Ruzicka of the Eagle Forumn. So clearly Cherylin is running as the ultra-conservative in the race. She said as much in her announcement "I'm told this is a four-way race. It's not," she said. "It's a two-way race: a race between three counterfeit conservatives and one authentic conservative. I'm the real deal."
"Counterfeit Conservatives"
The name calling begins. I wish she hadn't said that. I hope she chooses to make the case for her conservative principles without demeaning those who disagree or have a sightly different take on the definition of conservative.
James Russell Williams III is a younger guy - only 36 and is a Ron Paul Republican. It will be interesting to see how some of the more conservative state delegates break between these two candidates. It seems in recent elections there hasn't been much of a difference between an 'Eagle Forum' candidate and a 'Ron Paul Republican' candidate.
My guess is most would break in Cherilyn's direction. James is a newcomer to politics and without significant resources either in dollars or volunteers will have a hard time getting his message out and being taken seriously.
Cherilyn's entry into the race in my mind hurts Tim Bridgewater the most. I think Tim's play is to go after the disenfranchised voter/delegate and with the support of the Eagle Forum I think Cherilyn gets an instant boost from the strength and networking power of a very politically active organization. Tim could find himself the odd man out.
