"Why would someone run against a strong conservative like Chris?" a woman says in the ad.

A man responds, "Chris is one of the congressmen writing the new law to stop illegal immigration. He's already voted for stricter screening at entry points, increased border surveillance and more border patrol agents."

The woman adds, "I've read about it. Chris Cannon would also require all immigrants to carry a tamper-proof ID card or be deported."

But while Fund praised Cannon for being "one of the few members to point out the genuine need the U.S. economy has for new workers," that's a position criticized by immigration restrictionists who do not want any new legislation to include a way for illegal aliens to gain temporary worker status that leads to the possibility of citizenship.

One of Jacob's ads appealed to voters who feel that way by having a man, purported to be a 3rd District resident, saying, "I'm not anti-immigration, but I am for the rule of law."

That radio spot and another ended with a tagline — "What if there was a man who thought the way you thought?" — that seeks to take advantage of the former air traffic controller and water rights developer's position as a political novice.

Jacob's campaign staff was angered by Cannon's initial ad because the woman in it also says, "I just hope this opponent runs a clean race and doesn't spend the campaign falsely attacking Chris."

Jacob issued a 30-second rebuttal to what Minson called a "backhanded shot," with Jacob himself saying he would follow President Reagan's advice that Republicans should never speak ill of other Republicans.

Some wondered why it took Jacob until Thursday to air his first radio ad when a poll done by Dan Jones & Associates for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV in mid-May found that 77 percent of 3rd District residents had never heard of him. Minson said the strategy was designed to avoid voter ad fatigue.

"If you start too early, ads will be ineffective when you come down to crunch time and you need a bang at the end."

Both candidates made appearances Saturday at Pony Express Days in Jacob's hometown of Eagle Mountain. this coming Saturday, they will appear in a debate together at Utah Valley State College.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com