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Richard Piatt ReportingAlong with the last summer fling, Labor Day marks the beginning of the political season. The race in Utah's second Congressional district is already showing signs of heating up. Incumbent Jim Matheson not only faces heavy Republican opposition, but some dissatisfaction from within his own party.
Among more liberal Democrats, there have been rumblings about whether Jim Matheson is a "true Democrat" for quite a while. Recently, Mayor Rocky Anderson turned up the heat up on the congressman, saying Matheson has strayed from the party ideals and he's even suggesting something drastic.
Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City Mayor: "Maybe we should support the Green party candidate and send the message that when we elect a democrat, we expect them to be a democrat."
The significance of that kind of action lies in the makeup of Utah's second district, it was essentially fixed to be heavily Republican. Matheson survives as a Democrat by walking a tightrope, working hard to maintain a moderate profile to win Republicans over, but he also needs a base of Democrats in Salt Lake County.
If those Democrats vote for a third party candidate, it will dilute his support, and Matheson could indeed be in trouble. An example of this Democrat frustration came last week. Matheson was among those welcoming the President.He was among those who voted to support the war; he supports the marriage Amendment; the Patriot Act, among other traditionally 'conservative' causes.
That pleases some, but obviously not all in the Second District.
Rep. Jim Matheson, (D) Utah: "I think it's interesting when people try to use simplistic labels. Look, I am what I am. I represent my Utah constituents. I also have raised questions about a better way to find an articulated path to success for what's going on in Iraq."
Of course, Matheson will also face stiff competition from Republicans, expected to infuse huge amounts of money into this campaign. State Representative LeVar Christensen has been lying low, but says he's ready to go on the attack.
This means a very interesting race is shaping up in the second district. Matheson is now a powerful incumbent and that means lots of different forces want what he's got.
