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John Hollenhorst ReportingThe candidates for Utah governor were out on the last full day of campaigning, scrapping for votes. A hot congressional race is on the line too.
Rep. Jim Matheson, Dem. Candidate 2nd Congressional District: "You know what, as long as you win even by one vote, they still call you congressman."
It's the eve of one of the most anticipated Election Days ever. Across the nation and here in Utah feelings are running high as we approach tomorrow's big showdown.
It won't surprise anyone if we get a huge turnout tomorrow. We might even break records at the polls. The super tight presidential race made this an intense political year. But races in Utah are adding to the election fever.
They're battling for the first open Governor's seat in 12 years. Democrat Scott Matheson Junior, spent some of the last hours doing the traditional honk-and-wave. His opponent, Jon Huntsman, Junior, greeting voters and shopkeepers up and down Main Street. In their low-key gentlemanly campaign, they've struggled to define separate political identities.
Scott Matheson, Jr., Democrat for Governor: "Well, I think there was some division. I think I'm a much stronger candidate on education for example. That's really where my commitment and priority is. That includes public education and higher education. I am an educator, that's where my commitment is. I'll be better for education in Utah as the next governor."
Jon Huntsman, Jr., Republican for Governor: "I come from business . I come from industry. I bring kind of a more executive approach to getting things done. I believe that first and foremost we've got to get the economy right in order to pay for everything else. And I'm not going to rest until we do that right. And I think people, if they've tuned into the campaign, recognize that difference."
In one of Utah's tightest and most bitter races Republican John Swallow waved at voters in Sugarhouse. His opponent, Congressman Jim Matheson, went door to door in the Avenues.
Rep. Jim Matheson: "I'm very disappointed that my opponent chose to put on a smear campaign against me like we've never seen in Utah. I started out running a number of very positive commercials talking about what I wanted to do for this state. And he and his party put up commercials that lied about me. I find that very unfortunate and I hope Utahns will see though that and reject it."
John Swallow, 2nd Dist. Congressional Candidate: "Well, you know whenever you talk about the issues it gets a little uncomfortable. But we've talked about the issues, and that's what we’ve talked about. We're different on taxes, we're different on life, we're different on education. And those are the issues that are hard hitting for the people of Utah. But they gotta know the truth about the issues."
There are lots of other important and lively races, from the topsy-turvy contest for Salt Lake County Mayor to the battles over gay marriage and open space.
All in all, it should be an Election Day to remember.
