"Our government is taking more control of our daily lives, taking more of the money we earn and giving us less in return.

The only way to put government back in its proper role is for the Republican Party to become a first rate political force once again. To do this we must rededicate ourselves to being the Party of growth and opportunity. At the same time, there can be no doubt that our Party is the protector of the individual – whether that individual is in the womb of her mother, perparing his children for school or wiping the sweat off of his brow after putting in a full day of work. Our Party is at our best when we are pointing out that individuals made this country great, not the federal government. Just look at any point in our nation’s history; whenever individuals were given control to decide their own future and enjoy the rewards of their success then our nation became more energized, prosperous, forward-looking and free."

After “an incredible amount of soul searching,” the fourth-term delegate told a ballroom filled with hundreds of party faithful that a bid for federal office would require him to raise money during the upcoming General Assembly session, something he could not ethically do.

“Though a U.S. Senate campaign is governed by federal law, it is my belief that raising money is not the thing to do,” he said. “While it might be legal, it is unethical. We need politicians to put that first.”

Chris Saxman - Some GOP activists wonder whether Saxman overhyped his potential candidacy. And instead of announcing his decision Saturday evening, some asked whether Saxman should have made his intentions not to run known sooner. Saxman also let down a lot of Republican activists who were certain he was about to enter the race. And even if he decided not to run, some GOP activists say he should announced his decision earlier in the weekend. That way, the argument goes, the stories in the Sunday papers would have been all about Gilmore and party unity, instead of Saxman's decision.