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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah's access to federal land has become a campaign issue this year for the Republican challenging Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson. Morgan Philpot claims Matheson isn't aggressive enough in defending Utah's interests.
For a Republican challenger like Philpot, this is a way to poke at Matheson. Public lands are a hot issue, especially in southern Utah. But Matheson says he doesn't have anything to be ashamed of when it comes to defending Utah's public land interests.
At issue is land within Utah's borders which is controlled by the federal government -- 67 percent of the state falls into that category. Right now there is dissatisfaction from both conservatives and environmentalists over things like oil leases, access and road rights
Philpot says he's the best man to stick up for Utah's interests.
"It's looking at our local counties and saying, ‘I am your champion. I am here for you. I am here for Utah, and I'm going to stand up and be accounted for when you have a fight in Congress,'" Philpot says.
He claims more southern Utah county commissioners side with him, not Matheson, on public land issues. Matheson, however, says he's worked well with Washington County on wilderness issues there.
During my lifetime I have not seen a lot of progress on these issues; but during my time in Congress I've seen a lot of progress, and I feel I've been a part of that.
–Rep. Jim Matheson
Congressman Rob Bishop admits Matheson has made progress on some land issues and is not on committees that affect many issues directly, but Bishop claims Matheson could do more.
"He recognizes the impact that lands have on the entire economy in Utah -- and the jobs in Utah, and education in Utah -- and he wants to be an active player in that," Bishops says.
On the phone from Washington, D.C., Matheson cited his work on Washington County's federal land sales, an oil shale deal in eastern Utah and a land exchange in Uintah County.
"During my lifetime I have not seen a lot of progress on these issues; but during my time in Congress I've seen a lot of progress, and I feel I've been a part of that," Matheson says.
Philpot and Matheson have only started the debate on issues like public lands. There are obvious differences in style and philosophy for voters to take on.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
