But to win the race, Matheson has to convert independent voters, particularly those who typically lean Republican — a category where he now trails by 33 percentage points, Jones' poll shows.

Despite the double-digit deficit, Matheson said he is where he had hoped to be at this point in the campaign. "The other side has monopolized the media attention and spent a million and a half dollars, and yet we are still within striking distance," he said.

Comparing his race with the bicycling Tour de France now going on, Matheson said, "I feel like (cyclist) Lance Armstrong: We are a few minutes behind, but we are conserving our energy for the 'mountain stages' ahead."

Huntsman's campaign expects the governor's race will tighten up considerably once the campaign begins in earnest after the Labor Day holiday.

"Right now it is parades and fireworks," Chaffetz said. "You go to where the people are and shake hands. The local community events are a lot of fun, and it's a chance to wear short pants and T-shirts."

Matheson said he is now campaigning nonstop, meeting with various groups, sending out literature and attending community celebrations and parades, which he calls "candy distribution opportunities."

Chaffetz said Huntsman even found time to attend a concert by the 1970s rock band Rush.

"You can meet a lot of people there, too," Chaffetz said. "But I suspect there were people there surprised to see him."

The Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll of 920 registered voters was conducted July 6-10 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

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E-mail: spang@desnews.com