Bennett gets new challenger

[ccharles000]

Attorney Mike Lee plans to join the field of candidates challenging Sen. Bob Bennett for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Lee, a prominent Salt Lake City attorney who lives in Alpine, plans to make the announcement tomorrow at the Utah Capitol. He will be endorsed by former Gov. Norm Bangerter and former U.S. Rep. Jim Hansen.

Lee's entry into the race is not a surprise and was widely anticipated for weeks. He had been holding a series of town hall-style meetings throughout Utah where he spoke about the U.S. Constitution and threats to the founding document.

At a gathering of conservative activists last month, he announced plans to challenge Bennett for the seat.

Bennett is under fire from conservative Republicans, in large part because he supported the first round of bank bailouts during the Bush administration, and because he has supported health reform legislation that is unpopular in some circles.

Lee will join a field of candidates that includes businessman Tim Bridgewater, party activist Cherilyn Eagar and James Russell Williams.

http://www.sltrib.com/utahpolitics/ci_14121043