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SALT LAKE CITY -- Congressman Jim Matheson faces his toughest challenge in years. Some Utah Democrats say Matheson isn't "Democrat enough." Monday, Democratic leaders lined up to support him in his latest re-election bid.
This is all in the context of the upcoming state convention, where Matheson faces a Democrat challenger. While he acknowledges some Democrats are mad at him, he says in his district it isn't just about Democrats on Election Day.
"What really should drive people in public office is to try to do the right thing and try to think through issues," Matheson says.
It's that thoughtful approach to his stand on issues, like health care reform, that has some Democrats standing up for Matheson.
Matheson caught a lot of heat leading up to his "no" vote on federal health care reform. Many wondered: Matheson "Democrat enough?"
"We should talk about every issue and every vote, based on the merits of that vote," Matheson says. "That's how I approach my job: the merits of each vote. I'm happy to engage anyone in a discussion about any particular vote."
A group KSL News spoke to Monday, which was made up mostly of elected Democrats, say they like Matheson's balanced approach.
"I think he represents the whole state of Utah, not just the 2nd District," says Sen. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake City.
While some Democrats admit they disagree with Matheson sometimes, it's really about the big picture.
"I really appreciate that Jim doesn't simply see things are black or white, right or wrong, yes or no," says Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houk, D-Salt Lake City.
But a lot of people aren't happy with incumbents right now, Matheson included. He is facing a challenge from a fellow Democrat for the first time in years.
That person, Claudia Wright, says on health care reform and more, Matheson isn't representing grassroots Democrats.
"When you see someone like Sen. Bennett showing more compassion over health care than the Democrat that's seated, I had to wonder why. Then when I looked at his campaign contributions, I wondered a little less why," Wright says.
She says that sentiment runs from one end of the state to the other, and she is eager to take Matheson on.
"I think that I can offer people representation that is more rational, more moderate, more sensible than what we're seeing," Wright says.
Matheson might face a greater challenge later on. Republican candidate for Congress Morgan Philpot says party line politics may be secondary.
"It is a leadership issue. Where's the leadership on anything? Where is the leadership, plain and simple?" Philpot says. "That's the message I'm hearing."
Like Sen. Bob Bennett, Matheson is facing a strong anti-incumbent sentiment this year. Also like Bennett, he faces a real fight that will last from now until Election Day.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
