Letter from my Wife to the Voters of Utah County

My wife kindly sent out the letter below to the voters of Utah County a few weeks ago, and the positive response was overwhelming. Thank you very much for reading the letter, and learning more about who we are, and how we would like to serve you.



Dear Utah County Republican Voter,

Over the last several months we have enjoyed discussing the future of Utah County with Republican delegates. We received strong support at the Republican County Convention, and only 39 votes separated us from the incumbent seeking a 4th term. Our campaign is now in a Primary Election. So it’s your turn to decide who will be our next County Commissioner on Tuesday, June 22nd.

I’d like to give you a glimpse into Joel, his character and values, and why I believe he is the right man for the job of Utah County Commissioner.

Joel has been my husband and best friend for almost fourteen years. During that time we moved from Utah County to New York City for law school, and then to Washington DC for work, and then back home to Utah County. We now have four children, and love the family friendly atmosphere in Utah County. Joel has always been supportive of my service opportunities, and I appreciate this chance to share with you why I support Joel.

Joel was raised in Provo, and received a superb education in the public schools. Joel’s father is a math professor at BYU, and loved nothing more than “hanging out” with Joel and his friends when they did math homework. His enthusiasm for math was contagious, and Joel still loves to carefully review numbers, and spot the relevant trends. In high school he enjoyed competing on the debate team, and developed a passion for understanding both sides of an issue so he could be an effective advocate for his side. Joel’s peers in high school appreciated him, and elected him Senior Class President, and also President of the Young Republicans Club. I started dating Joel at BYU. I was attracted to his energy and intelligence, but also to his enthusiasm for life, and keen interest in people. Even though Joel was already very accomplished at BYU, I fell in love with him because of how he made me feel. I knew I could trust him, and that is why I married him. When our relationship turned serious, many people who knew Joel would tell me “Joel is a really good guy.” And I knew that good guys make good husbands, and then good fathers, and that is what I wanted to build my family on. When we were engaged, I was proud of how hard Joel worked as a waiter at Los Hermanos in Provo to save up enough money for us to be financially independent when we got married. Shortly after he graduated from BYU we got married, and then moved to New York City so Joel could attend NYU Law School.

In New York City we were outsiders. We didn’t have the vast network of family and friends we enjoyed in Utah County. We were also quite poor. But we were very happy. Joel and I learned and grew considerably during our time there. In fact, Joel believes the lessons he learned about self-reliance, and how to work 16 hours every day, were more important than anything he learned in law school.

Joel then had an opportunity to work with one of the best law firms in Washington D.C. I will never forget the day Joel gave me a personal tour of our Nation’s Capital. I was inspired by the love he has for our Constitution, and his appreciation of the checks and balances provided by our three branches of government. After several years in D.C., and the birth of our second child, we began to miss our home in Utah County. Joel and I are both 4th generation Utah County residents. We wanted to raise our children around our extended family, and in the family friendly atmosphere that is incomparable in Utah County. Like you, we love Utah County, where our roots are deep. Joel’s grandfather started Savage Brothers Trucking in 1946, which grew to become one of the largest employers in Utah County. And Joel’s Great Grandmother helped found the first library in American Fork.

Joel wants Utah County to be a place where our children will raise our grandchildren, and our grandchildren will raise our great-grandchildren. Joel loves nothing more than time with his children. He loves to read them books, take them to the library, explore the mountains behind our home, ride bicycles, go on hikes (he especially loves Timp Cave), and coach their teams. Joel knows you love these things too. We saw firsthand on the East Coast how increases in government spending, higher taxes and crime undermined families. Joel will not let that happen here. Joel understands that government cannot solve all, or even most, of the world’s problems. But Joel does believe government should do what it is supposed to do, and do it well.

Finally, I have observed Joel first hand during this campaign, as well as when he served on our City Council, the State Charter School Board, and the Board of Regents. In all those positions I have seen the entrenched interests try to exert enormous pressure on him to protect the status quo. Every time I saw Joel stand up for what was right, and tell the truth. Joel understands the difference between the public interest, and the interests of the status quo. He will fight for you and your family, and not for the status quo. Joel has always put the needs of both me and our family before his own, and I know Joel will do the same thing for the residents of Utah County.

Our Founding Fathers understood that elected office shouldn't be a career. They believed you should get in, make your contribution and then get out. We need more men and women willing to do the same. I know Joel understands this, and is ready to prepare Utah County for the future, and thus ask for your vote on June 22nd.

Marisa Wright (signature)
Shameless Advocate for the Man I Love


P.S. If you have any questions, feel free to call Joel on his cell phone at 801-368-5385, or learn more about him at any of the links below:

WEB: http://electwright.com/

CAMPAIGN BLOG: http://wright4countycommissioner.blogspot.com

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/JoeldWright

Call Joel at: 801-368-5385 (MOBILE)

Email Joel at: JOEL@ELECTWRIGHT.COM

P.P.S. Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, June 22nd! And early voting should be available by June 8th.