"Some of those who participated in the ads would never do it if it was for political reasons," Prescott said.

Of the four local leaders in the ads, only Miller has publicly endorsed and supported Huntsman, he added.

The LDS Church does not allow its leaders to endorse political candidates. But, Matheson campaign manager Mike Zuhl noted "the reference" in the ad campaign to an LDS Church leader "is not too subtle."

Matheson, asked if the ads help his opponent's campaign, said: "I'm a great admirer and supporter of the Huntsman cancer hospital. And I trust the judgment of the hospital's leadership in doing what they think is best for the hospital. And I'll just leave it at that."

Huntsman was shooting his own campaign TV ads Monday. He said they may start running the end of September or in early October.

Prescott said he has previously supported U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, younger brother of Scott Matheson Jr., in political campaigns. "And I consider myself a friend" of Scott and the Matheson family, he said.

The Mathesons also have a good name in Utah, Prescott said, and may be helped politically by public notices of that good name, "like the Matheson Courthouse." The downtown building is named after Scott and Jim's father, the late Democratic Gov. Scott M. Matheson.

Prescott said that in a general way, the institute's ads may be "helpful" to Huntsman. "We hope the institute is seen in a favorable light," which may shine on Huntsman as well, he said.

Will the HCI ads help his campaign?

"I don't know if it means a whole lot," Huntsman said. "We're just fortunate (as a family) to be part of the institute and want to cure cancer — that's the long-term objective."

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com