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SALT LAKE CITY -- Congressman Jim Matheson appears to be in good shape heading into the upcoming election, according to a new Dan Jones poll for KSL and the Deseret News.
In a year when Democrats are in trouble around the nation, Congressman Jim Matheson is an exception. The Dan Jones poll shows he is still overwhelmingly popular, but there are those, like Tea Partiers, who are not supporters.
2nd Congressional District
| Jim Matheson (D) | 57% |
| Morgan Philpot (R) | 31% |
| Randall Hinton (C) | 1% |
| Dave Glissmeyer (U) | 1% |
| Wayne L. Hill (U) | <1% |
| Other/Don't Know | 9% |
Tea Party organizer Larry Jensen said, "On November 2, big-spending career politicians like Jim Matheson are being permanently retired by the voters of America."
Members of Utah's Tea Party gathered at the State Capitol for a news conference Monday. They are among those who want a change, namely Jim Matheson's opponent Morgan Philpot.
In response, Matheson said Monday that he rejects the Tea Party's "big spender" label. [CLICK HERE to read a statement from Jim Matheson]
Regardless of the campaigning, voters appear to be sticking with incumbent Matheson; results show voters overwhelmingly support with Matheson over Philpot 57 percent to 31 percent. The poll is based on responses from 226 likely voters in the 2nd Congressional District.
Matheson credits his record for the results. Philpot blames negative ads for them.
"Regardless of what's going on with national politics and everything else, I think they appreciate the fact that I'm an honest, common sense voice. I'm not a rubber stamp for any political party, and I'm just trying to get things done," Matheson said.
Philpot said, "My opponent has sent out some pretty misleading and false hit pieces on me, and you have to wonder: Why does Goliath attack David if he's really not worried, as he said before, about this race?"
There has been bipartisan discontent with Matheson -- both within the Tea Party and among Democrats. Remember, Matheson had a primary election rival with Democrat Claudia Wright. But as far as this particular snapshot of the race is concerned, it appears it's Matheson's race to lose.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
