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

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into entering the race.

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