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SALT LAKE CITY — A powerful player in Utah politics is putting his support behind U.S. Congressional candidate Mia Love.
Governor Gary Herbert is a Republican, and he says he wants a Republican to win District 4. He spent time Tuesday making phone calls from Love's campaign headquarters to ask potential voters who they plan to support in November.
Herbert says people like Tim Schomburg from Murray could make all the difference in the election's outcome. Schomburg doesn't know Mia Love personally, yet he says he felt it was his duty to volunteer on the phones.
"It's just my little part, just one person, so I'm just volunteering," he said.
"It's grassroots at its best," Herbert said. "It's calling people, answering questions and getting them motivated to show up and vote on Election Day."
He hopes his support will push Love ahead of incumbent Rep. Jim Matheson in November. The race is in the home stretch, with 41 days until Election Day. Love says this isn't the time to back down; this is the time to ramp up.
"I'm focused and we're going to win this race," she said.
Related:
National news source questions Mia Love's immigration story
An article published by a national news outlet Tuesday is challenging a central element of Mia Love's family's immigration story — a story she says led her to becoming a GOP Congressional candidate.Tuesday wasn't the easiest day for Love. Independent news organization, Mother Jones, published an article questioning her family's immigration status, and her status as an "anchor baby."
Love said the accusations are untrue, and blames Matheson's campaign.
"The only people who are questioning it are Jim Matheson and his liberal friends," she said.
Matheson told KSL he isn't behind the attack. And as Election Day inches closer, both Matheson and Love are forging ahead. Every vote, every call can count.
"You have an opportunity to have your vote and have it counted. Even if you disagree, if it's a protest vote, it counts," Herbert said.
Tuesday night Matheson attended a neighborhood fundraiser and met with constituents.
