What an exciting day today was. It seems that primaries are something we have become used to in the 3rd District, and this cycle is no different. But much like the last ones, we are confident that the voters of the 3rd District will recognize my record and my ability to influence change in Washington, and send me back to serve.

First off, I would like to thank all of the many volunteers, friends, delegates, and others who came out today to support and help me. I don’t think I will ever be able to say thank you enough for everything you do.

Second, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank David Leavitt and Joe Ferguson for running honorable, respectful, and civil campaigns. I would also like to thank David Leavitt for his grace in a difficult time. Contrary to what has been written in the papers and the reaction by some of the delegates, there was no pre-arranged coordination of his endorsement. He felt strongly that if he wasn’t to be the nominee, that I should be. Civility was a hallmark of David’s campaign today and I am sure, campaigns of the future. He practices what he preaches.  He knows that civility and respect move mountains in Washington and are values Utahns hold dear.

We move on from today knowing that the voters of the 3rd District are thoughtful and know my record of working for them. We move on from today knowing we will continue to be the target of personal attacks and distortions, but assured in the power of our positive message to move voters.

As I said earlier, voters are rightfully angry with Washington. $3.50 gasoline is immoral, government spending is out of control, health care is broken, and border security needs more than rhetoric. In all these issues and more, Congress IS the problem, but being IN Congress is not the problem.

The Club for Growth, the National Taxpayers Union, the Americans for Tax Reform, National Journal, the Family Research Council, Sean Hannity, the National Rifle Association, and many more individuals and organizations that care about the issues we hold dear, consistently show that my record DOES NOT reflect the status quo, but is a record of holding firm to our principles and accomplishing much, even when our voice is in the minority.

As Ezra Taft Benson said in “The Proper Role of Government”:

Unlike the political opportunist, the true statesman values principle above popularity, and works to create popularity for those political principles which are wise and just.

That is what I do everyday in Washington.  I work to convince 434 other members of the House and 100 Senators and a President, that our values are America’s values.  It isn’t easy and it doesn’t happen overnight.  The framers designed our government to move slow.  Both in expansion and contraction.

But when I can, as I did this year, get arch-liberal John Conyers to support a tax moratorium on the Internet, it is an indication of what is possible.  This isn’t accomplished by bombastic speeches or lofty rhetoric.  It is done by reasoned discourse and firm principles.

I hope you will join us as we take this message to the district and around the country through November.  I ask you to sign up and volunteer to help and donate what you can to this cause.   Today is the start of the next phase of the campaign that ends with re-election in November.  Thank you for your support and let’s get to work!