SALT LAKE CITY -- The GOP challenger to 2nd District incumbent Democrat Jim Matheson says his campaign has nothing to do with an effort to have Republican voters cast ballots in the Democratic primary and vote for Matheson's rival.

At the same time, a prominent GOP lawmaker is reversing course and now says he is not encouraging crossover voting.

KSL first reported Monday night about an activist pushing for Republicans to vote in the Democratic primary. Activist Chase Everton launched a social networking campaign to urge conservatives to skip the Republican primary and vote for incumbent Jim Matheson's opponent Claudia Wright.

Tuesday, both the GOP nominee Morgan Philpot and lawmaker Carl Wimmer are distancing themselves from the idea.

Philpot: "Our campaign is in no way involved"

Philpot told KSL Radio's Doug Wright he's not involved.

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"I don't want the first image of my campaign going out there being what's happening today," he said. "It was not in any way initiated by our campaign nor was it ever intended to be internalized or become a part of it."

Philpot clearly stated, "Our campaign is in no way involved with this effort."

He also urged GOP supporters and voters to stay out of that primary election.

"Utah Democrats deserve the right to choose their own candidate," Philpot said in a statement. "We had heard rumors about some GOP voters looking to influence the outcome of that election. That is a position our campaign simply does not support."

Philpot also made it clear to Doug Wright he has no control over what others do.

"People have their own will and their own way about doing things, and sometimes there's very little anyone can do about it," he said.

He thinks idea is an example of the strong anti-incumbent feeling that's out there.

"We wish both candidates the best in that race. Our campaign will be watching the primary race closely, and we will be ready for either candidate," he said.

Wimmer retracts Facebook comments about campaign

In the meantime, on Rep. Carl Wimmer's Facebook page he made a peculiar statement all his own:

"OK. Time for operation chaos, Utah-style. Utah Democrats have an open primary election, so EVERY Republican in the Utah 2nd Congressional District needs to go and vote for Claudia Wright against Matheson. She is very liberal, and would give Morgan Philpot an almost certain victory in that district."

Later he changed course, writing, "Let me be VERY clear so there is no misunderstanding. I do NOT advocate voting in anyway other than as your PRINCIPLES dictate. . . . I believe Morgan Philpot can win against either Democrat this year!"

Tuesday, Wimmer also joined KSL's Doug Wright to apologize.

"I have really no excuse for it. It was a judgmental error," he said. "I really had no idea how closely monitored Facebook status updates are. As an elected official I'm held to a higher standard and a higher responsibility and I should be."

Wimmer, a Republican from Herriman, said his post was meant as a parody of the actual campaign.

"It was something I shouldn't have done, and I apologize to anyone who would think that I would advocate crossover balloting. There's absolutely no way that I would advocate that," he said.

The Democratic primary in that race is June 22.

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Story compiled with contributions from John Daley and Adam Thomas.

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