Endorsed by Mitt!

Three big things happened today:

1) My kids started school today. Julie and I now have one in high school, one in middle school, and our youngest entered second grade. Wow! Life keeps moving forward (and getting taller).

2) The Salt Lake Tribune's story, www.sltrib.com/utahpolitics/ci_10235192, gave some credit to the strength of our grassroots efforts. The large number of donations was a critical factor in our success through the Convention and into the Primary. Thanks to all who donated! We need to keep this going. If there is any way you can donate, please do so at www.jasonforcongress.com/donations.html. Thank you!

3) Oh, and by the way, Gov. Mitt Romney endorsed my candidacy for Congress!!! This is a huge personal honor for me and a major plus for the campaign. I have the deepest respect and admiration for Gov. Romney. To have his support is meaningful in so many ways.

Julie and I sat with him in Boston a few weeks ago. We talked about everything from our two campaigns to BYU Football to our families to what it is going to take for the Republicans to demonstrate to the American people that we have a better, smarter way to govern.

Here is the content of the press release that went out on 8/18/08:

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ENDORSES JASON CHAFFETZ

Calls Chaffetz "Principled Leader" in Utah's Third Congressional District Race

Former presidential hopeful and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney today formally endorsed Third District Congressional candidate Jason Chaffetz.

"I am committed to a strong military, a strong economy and strong families," said Romney. "I know Jason Chaffetz shares those values. We will need strong leadership in the Congress to move America forward."

Romney, who earned more than 90% of the vote in Utah's February Presidential Primary, is still considered a possible pick for vice president. "We need principle-driven people who are committed to the public good," said Romney of Chaffetz. "We need people who are willing to stand up, participate in the process and do what is right for America."

In a letter to be distributed in the coming weeks, Romney wrote of Chaffetz, "I know Jason personally and have had the pleasure of working with him. I can say, unequivocally, that there is no one more dedicated to Utah than Jason."

Chaffetz and Romney worked together during the time Romney headed the Republican Governor's Association and Chaffetz served as Chief of Staff to Utah Governor Jon Huntsman. Chaffetz also volunteered time on Romney's presidential campaign.

"It's an honor to have the support of Governor Romney," Chaffetz said. "He is admired in Utah for his commitment to public service, his exceptional business and leadership skills, and his efforts to strengthen America's families. His support will mean a lot to the people of Utah and for that I am very grateful."

In his letter, Romney praised Chaffetz for running a "fiscally conservative, grass roots primary campaign using more than 1,000 volunteers in lieu of a paid staff." Chaffetz has used an all-volunteer staff to run his campaign and dominated the primary election despite being outspent by $600,000.

"Utah — and America — will be lucky to have this principled leader in Congress," Romney told supporters in the letter, which asked recipients to donate generously to the Chaffetz campaign.