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Richard Piatt Reporting Two men running for Congress, representing a major political party are 'The Great Unknowns' to a lot of people in their district. Let us introduce you to the men who are fighting for attention in the races against Congressmen Chris Cannon and Rob Bishop.
Chances are you know of Congressman Chris Cannon and Congressman Rob Bishop. Both want to be reelected this year, but even a lot of political junkies don't know their opponents, Christian Burridge and Steve Olsen on the right. They are the Democrats for Congress in the first and third.
If there's one thing both these candidates share, it's an intense desire to explain why they think most Utahns are Democrats, but just don't know it yet.
For example, Burridge has a Republican on his campaign staff. In the case of the race against Chris Cannon, it's a matter of really relating to voters, he says.
Chrisitan Burridge, (D) Candidate for Congress: "Finally we have a candidate who agrees with us on social issues, protecting the unborn, and protecting traditional marriage, but at the same time is not going to just vote for the top one percent wage earners."
Olsen is an ex-Republican himself, proudly wearing the donkey on his shirt sleeve. Running against Congressman Bishop, he notes that he is a "bishop" in his LDS ward. He strongly feels Democrats reflect Utah values more than Republicans do.
Steve Olsen, (D) Candidate For Congress: "I am asking them to open their eyes to what the republicans have done to our country, and things that do not square with our Utah values. And I'm pointing out that Rob has not done a good job at standing up against those trends."
In response, Congressman Cannon's campaign said Cannon is confident voters will continue with the strong conservative leadership he is providing in the House on their behalf.
Congressman Rob Bishop's campaign also countered Mr. Olsen's claims by stating, "Rob's record speaks for itself, from fighting to keep nuclear waste out of the state or to cut taxes and curtail government spending."
They're coming from nowhere to engage in high profile, high pressure politics. No one knows them now, but they say everyone has to start someplace.
