Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (AP) -- Millionaire Republican real estate developer John D. Jacob has been talking about challenging incumbent Republican Chris Cannon in Utah's 3rd U.S. House District but is not talking about his own views.
A spokesman for Jacob announced last month that he was forming a committee to explore the prospect of his running against Cannon and could announce his candidacy at the end of September.
However, in an interview at his home, Jacob said, "I am currently investigating running against Chris Cannon and will probably know my decision in late October."
Saying it was too early, and that he has not officially declared he is running for any office, Jacob declined to discuss his views on any issues, The Daily Herald said.
The former Eagle Mountain city councilman said he would like to influence change.
"I'm not running for power, and I'm not doing this for money -- it's a tremendous cut in pay," he said. "I'm doing it because I can make a difference."
Jacob said his wife, Diane Kimball Jacob, and family have been supportive of his possibly running for office.
Jacob began selling real estate while at Brigham Young University and found he was doing very well.
"At the time I made so much money I couldn't afford to go back to school," he said.
The economy took a down turn and Jacob went back to school.
He got a job as an air traffic controller when President Ronald Reagan fired all striking controllers in 1981.
He returned to selling real estate 10 years ago and started selling water rights to developers.
Jacob also is a majority owner in a computer training company called Makau.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
