My Take

As GOP Precinct Chair, I have been focused on GOP candidates throughout the caucuses, convention and primary election.

I 've now switched my focus to help precinct citizens make informed election choices in the upcoming General Election.   I realized that not all of the best (or properly selected) GOP candidates are not on the ballot.  That means we need to consider all candidates for an office before blindly voting for the GOP candidate -- I believe that is what has put us in our current situation.

So, yes, and GOP Precinct Chair I will not blindly vote for the GOP candidate, and I ask the same of you. 

You'll find non-GOP candidates on this page who I think may be better candidates based on what I know about you, my neighbors.  I'm merely making you aware of candidates who think and feel the same as we do here in Honeyville.

I hear many people say they won't vote for Donald Trump because they don't like some aspect of his personality, to which I say:

• Remember you are voting for an Administration -- an entire team of thousands of people to execute the President's policies.    It's not just one person that runs the Executive branch.  Want proof?  Our current  president certainly hasn't been running the entire Executive branch for the last 4 years by himself, now, has he.

• Consider each candidate's decision-making ability and whether or not they've shown good judgement on critical issues.  That judgment is used to select the team running the Executive branch. 

• Vote for Policy over Personality.  If personality were the main criteria in past presidential elections, we know several of the past presidents wouldn't have been elected.  During the Lewinsky scandal of the Clinton presidency, we were told Clinton's lack of decency wasn't relevant because his economy was doing so well.   So if you are hung up on anything Trump has said, it may be time time consider your priorities -- your judgement on another individual, or policies that protect our nation?

• Finally, don't confuse personality with character.  Which candidate has kept every political promise they've made?

Carlton E. Bowen is a self-admitted "lifelong Republican", but he is on the November ballot under the Independent American party.

Why?   From the Voter Information Pamphlet, Bowen wanted "to ensure there would be a Pro-TRUMP candidate on the November ballot. My GOP opponent has refused to endorse Trump and called for Trump’s censure.   I, Carlton E. Bowen, am the only pro-TRUMP candidate for U.S. Senate! "

More from the Voter Information Pamphlet:

" I’m running on a platform of Traditional Values, Traditional Money, and our Tradition of Freedom! There are only 2 genders: male and female. We need to remain a free-market capitalist economy. We need to re-embrace U.S. minted gold and silver coin to solve many of our economic problems. I’ll only vote for spending that’s part of a yearly balanced budget. I won’t vote to increase the debt ceiling. America was founded by people seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity. God is the author of our Liberty and has protected America. We must remember and serve Him still if we’re to remain a free and prosperous nation! I’m born and raised in Utah. I served honorably in the U.S. Air Force and have lived in Utah, Texas, Virginia, and South Korea. I’m married to my wife of 37 years, have 6 children and 14 grandchildren. I’m for the U.S. Constitution and value everyone’s freedom! "

More information at https://www.carlton4ussenate.com/

Frankly, the GOP party has been a big disappointment when it comes to US District 1 House election.   It's no secret I am not a fan of pro-deficit, pro-self-enrichment GOP candidate Moore.  

Bill Campbell is running as a Democrat.  Again, let's not rush to dismiss.  My first thought was, "Given Moore's record, would a Democrat be worse?"

I don't think the Voter Information Pamphlet sheds the best light on Bill.  However, a deeper look into the candidate, including his web site, https://www.bill4u.org/, reveals he has a lot of similar values, beliefs, and desires as our precinct members.    

Admittedly, there is a risk of Bill becoming a part of the Democrat block in the House where he'll vote how they tell him to vote.  It seems to be a small risk if the statements on his web site are true, and that is really what he stands for.

Again, not an endorsement; I'm just saying to take a look at Bill Campbell before naively selecting the GOP candidate on the ballot. 

Note that the Libertarian candidate, Daniel R. Cottam, did not submit a profile for the Voter Information Pamphlet.

Phil Lyman has been leading a noble fight for transparency in Utah politics, exposing the current corruption and deception that borders tyranny.  Be sure to write in "Phil Lyman", since the current leadership has even gone so far as to bribe some bloke with the same last name to run as a write-in candidate -- for $1000 and a steak dinner.  Please find our more at Phil Lyman's campaign site https://lymanforutah.com/.  

Austin Hepworth is unaffiliated with any party, which is actually a good thing for an Attorney General candidate.  And it's even more critical in Utah since the current Governor has his hand-picked candidate on the ballot as the GOP AG candidate.  This was easier than going to the public and have them approve a constitutional amendment to move the AG office under the Governor's direction. (Yes, that's the type of corruption we have in our very own State government).

I strongly recommend everyone visit his web site, https://www.austinhepworth.com/, before filling out your ballot.  I think you'll find him to be a better choice for AG.  He is running for AG because he believes " we need to select leaders who can model the principles that we want to have in our country, such as checks and balances and accountability. "  That sounds like my neighbors talking, and I think you'll find even more that you agree with.

Remember, the current GOP candidate is a hand-picked puppet of the current Governor.   His poor showing in the GOP Convention makes one wonder how he made it onto the ballot.  He was put into the race since the Governor wants the AG to work under the direction of the Governor, not independently from all political affiliation.  This one stinks folks, or, as I say, doesn't pass the sniff test when it comes to corruption.

Don't be lazy on this one and just select the GOP candidate because his is the only name on the ballot.  Sam attended our Primary Election rally here in Honeyville and displayed an incredible understanding of local issues and how they can be addressed.  Sam will truly represent your interests.  He's shared his reasons for running and policy ideas, so you know what you're getting when you write-in his name on the ballot.

Just like Phil Lyman's opponent, Sam McMurdie's opponent (Vincent) by-passed the Utah Caucus process to buy his way onto the ballot.  That means we don't really know his intentions or policy ideas.  Perhaps the best thing to do is to ask citizens of Brigham City about his service there as an elected official.