Free Republic

The 4th Congressional District race between Mia Love (R) and Doug Owens (D) is tightening a little with about 3 weeks to go until election day. The latest UtahPolicy.com poll conducted by Dan Jones and Associates finds Love with a 9-point lead over Owens. 9% are undecided.

U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah’s only Democrat in Congress, announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election, easing the way for Republicans to pick up another House seat in a solidly red state. Matheson was expected to face a tough repeat challenge in 2014 from Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love, a Republican he narrowly defeated in 2012. While Utah Democrats admitted Matheson’s decision not to run for an eighth term is a blow, they’re hoping it will set him up to challenge U.S. Sen. Mike Lee or Gov. Gary Herbert, both Republicans who are up for re-election in 2016. …

“Mia Love has a straight shot to Congress now,” said Tyler Harber, a Republican strategist with the international strategy firm Harden Global. “She’s smart, worldly and interested in focusing on solving problems. ...

Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love has declared she wants another shot at the congressional seat occupied by Democrat Jim Matheson. The announcement that she wanted a rematch came during an afternoon speech Saturday to several thousand delegates at the Utah Republican Party’s annual organizing convention. “You and I have some unfinished business with Jim Matheson,” Love said during her speech, which was met with loud cheers and resounding applause.