Another challenger for Utah Sen. Bob Bennett in his 2010 re-election bid

James Williams, 36, is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Bob Bennett and other GOP challengers. The small business owner is a conservative from South Jordan. (Courtesy of James Williams)

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• Senate race
• Feb 3:
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• Feb 1:
• Bennett gets campaign boost from NRSC
• Jan 19:
• Obama adviser: All incumbents face unhappy electorate
• Jan 5:
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• Dec 3:
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• Dec 2:
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• Nov 8:
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• Nov 4:
• With Shurtleff out, new challengers may emerge
• Oct 21:
• Senate candidate will formally enter the race against Bennett on Thursday
• Oct 20:
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• Oct 16:
• Bennett spends more campaign cash than raised
• Oct 14:
• RNC boss praises Bennett, stays out of Senate fight
• Sep 4:
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• Aug 26:
• Senate race already getting testy eight months out
• Aug 25:
• With tough election ahead, Bennett pens LDS book
• Jul 24:
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• Jun 10:
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Three-term Utah Sen. Bob Bennett is picking up one --and maybe two -- more Republican challengers this week in his 2010 re-election bid.

James Williams, who quietly filed his statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission in January, will publicly announce his campaign Wednesday.

"We need to maintain and grow ourselves as the world's economic and military superpower," the 36-year-old lifelong Republican said in a press release Tuesday. "If we are going to hold that position, we have to change the way our politicians are running for government."

Meanwhile, GOP activist and business owner Cherilyn Eagar has called a news conference Thursday to announce results of her exploratory committee's look

Williams, who lives in South Jordan with his wife Jennifer, has owned and operated small businesses for years. He said he plans to generate grass-roots support by pledging to give power back to the people.

"Being a small business owner has given me good perspective and good leadership skills to run our country," Williams said. "Using conservative and constitutional principles, we can turn this country around."

This is his first run for public office and Williams faces off against as many as four other GOP candidates: Bennett, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, former Utah County GOP Chairman Tim Bridgewater and, possibly, Eagar.

Democrat Sam Granato, a restaurateur, also has announced his candidacy.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com