While Congress moves dutifully forward on passing some sort of amnesty, now most likely in the form of the much-lauded Pence sellout, something like open revolt seems to be brewing within the GOP’s conservative base.

Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal reports on the uphill primary battle facing Utah Congressman Chris Cannon. This is not the first time that Cannon, a fifth-term incumbent and President Bush’s point man on immigration in the House, has faced a primary race challenge over his stance on the issue. In 2004, former Utah state legislator Matt Throckmorton gave Cannon a nasty race for his money. The money ultimately prevailed – in addition to being the state GOP Chairman’s brother, Cannon’s personal fortune is estimated at $12 million – but only after Cannon outspent Throckmorton 9-to-1 in an election that was supposed to be a cinch.

This time around, Cannon may be less lucky. His opponent, Utah businessman John Jacob, is just as rich as Cannon and then some. What’s more, the political ground has shifted in important ways since the 2004 elections. With conservatives up in arms over the President’s plan to regularize the status of the 12 to 20 million illegals already in the country and invite millions more, Cannon actually found himself defeated 52 to 48 at a state GOP convention two weeks ago.

Lest we forget, Cannon is the candidate who, in 2002, boasted to a roomful of MALDEF notables: “We love immigrants in Utah. And we don't make the distinction very often between legal and illegal.” While Cannon might not make that distinction, my guess is that the citizens of Utah do – and will do so at the June 27th primary election. For supporters of genuine immigration reform – that is, the vast majority of the American people – there would be nothing sweeter than to see Cannon sent back home to sell insurance or whatever it was he did before money and family connections bought him a career in politics.

Washington is watching the campain closely. As one Republican Congressman told the WSJ: “House Republicans are already spooked about immigration, and should one of our own lose on the issue, you will see panic break out.”

While efforts need to be focused now on the House, voters must not forget last week’s extraordinary Senate betrayal. Fourteen Republican Senators are up for re-election, four of whom voted in favor of S.2611. All four seem safe for the moment but at least one of them, Indiana Republican Richard Lugar, faces a write-in campaign to protest his pro-amnesty stance. The campaign’s organizer, Navy veteran and grass roots activist Rick Hale [donate to Rick's campaign here], has this to say about his rival:

Perhaps Senator Lugar is arrogant because he currently has no Democratic Party challenger in the upcoming election, so he feels safe to ignore the desires of Hoosier voters. Perhaps he is too interested in pleasing those business owners who want a cheap source of illegal labor. Or, perhaps 29 years in Washington, D.C. is just too long. Whatever the case, I believe Hoosiers and other Americans deserve someone who is looking out for them, and Richard Lugar has proven he is not that person.

Hale’s campaign is indicative of the profound sense of betrayal felt by millions of conservatives across the country. It is also a model of civic action.

While there’s still time to make our voices heard, it’s quickly running out. Take a moment and tell your Congressman what you think, by telephone or brick. And then, once you’ve done that, be sure to donate to one of the many worthy groups that are valiantly trying to turn the tide in this debate.