Ex-Utah Gov.'s Son (Scott Matheson Jr.-D) May Run for Governor

The Associated Press ^ | 7/8/03 | Paul Foy

[LdSentinal]

SALT LAKE CITY - Scott M. Matheson Jr., oldest son of a former Utah governor and dean of the University of Utah law school, is laying the groundwork for a run for governor in 2004.

"I'm sensing the voters of Utah are willing to look at someone new, willing to make a change," the 49-year-old Democrat said Tuesday.

Third-term Republican Gov. Mike Leavitt has not said whether he plans to run for re-election.

Democrats have not held the top office in solidly Republican Utah since 1985, when Matheson's father left office. Scott Matheson Jr. managed his father's election campaigns.

His decision makes it likely that two Mathesons will appear on Utah's 2004 ballot: his brother, second-term Rep. Jim Matheson, also a Democrat, plans to run for re-election then.

Scott Matheson Jr. filed papers Monday organizing a campaign committee that can solicit contributions. He will not be able to file papers declaring himself an official candidate until March.

Matheson, a Rhodes scholar and former U.S. attorney for Utah, said he will take a leave of absence from the law school after starting an active campaign.

Leavitt could also face challengers from within the GOP, including former Rep. James V. Hansen. Hansen, 70, said last week he was seriously considering a run.

[Impy]

Why does there have to be 2 of them?

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[Abram]

I know what you are saying but the Matheson name carries a lot of weight in Utah. It is interesting that Jim Hansen is talking about running...I did not know this. I know a number of Republicans in the state were talking about recruiting him to run for one of the two Senate seats a while ago, but he indicated that he wanted to get out of politics.

[fieldmarshaldj]

UT Governor's race *ping*

The 'Rats are looking to take this one back after a long time. I must admit my disappointment with the current Governor, who seems to be just skirting the line with RINO territory with his obsession on taxing internet purchases, which I strongly oppose. I support ex-Congressman Jim Hansen to succeed Gov. Leavitt.

[Kuksool]

Utah is perhaps the most rock-ribbed Republican state in the Union. But, the Pubbies in UT act very RINOish. Recently, the GOP-controlled state gov't approved of driver licenses and in-state tuition for illegals! Also, on Thursday night on the O'Reilly Factor, Chris Cannon (UT-03) was sparring with Tom Tancredo (CO-06) over illegal immigration. Cannon was in favor of illegal immigration! Utah may no longer be a GOP state if illegals continue to invade the state.

[Theodore R.]

UT is subject to Democrat victories, but they are not as common as in neighboring NM or NV. Leavitt has, like Guinn in NV and former Governor Sundquist in TN, been primarily a "tax-collector for the welfare state," to borrow the words of Newt Gingrich.

The UT "democracy" has centered on the Matheson family for the past generation. Any Matheson campaign must be taken very, very seriously.

If you don't think so, ask the Republican candidate for governor of neighboring WY in 2002.

[Impy]

I think Cannon was considered the "moderate" in GOP primary when he first ran in 96. Although his acu rating is 97%.