For example, one group opposed to current immigration policy has already announced it will challenge Matheson's record, just as it unsuccessfully targeted Rep. Chris Cannon, a Republican from Utah's 3rd Congressional District during the primary.

ProjectUSA president Craig Nelsen says Matheson's record on immigration is "just as bad" as Cannon's. Both candidates received a "D" on the group's Web site, www.ProjectUSA.org.

Two years ago, Matheson was targeted in a last-minute mailer by National Right to Life that accused Matheson of being pro-abortion. At the time, Swallow called the mailer "upbeat and fair."

With an impending campaign by outside groups targeting Matheson on immigration issues, Swallow is being more cautious, saying there will be nothing negative coming out of his camp.

"And I encourage anyone out there not to go negative. We can talk about our differences without being hard-core negative," he said.

Matheson said he has no expectations about what Swallow might do or say. He, too, plans to keep the campaign upbeat and to focus on his political independence and all he's done for Utahns up and down the state.

"I am hopeful there won't be a lot of outside money diluting the dialogue between the candidates and voters," he said.

---

E-mail: spang@desnews.com