Voters who had a less favorable view of the president, giving him a three or less, were more likely to vote for Jacob.

Monson said Cannon is not the most popular incumbent among most Republicans but attributed his victory to his moderate appeal and mistakes that Jacob made in the race.

"One of the things we'll never know is how close it may have been had Jacob not made some of the amateur mistakes he did," he said.

Attempts to reach Jacob for comment were not successful.

Patterson said Jacob's strategy lacked a comprehensive approach. "To knock off an incumbent, you need more than one issue," he said.

When asked their opinion of how to deal with the issue of illegal immigration, most voters expressed solutions more in line with Cannon's philosophy. A plurality, 39.9 percent, said most illegal immigrants should be required to return home, but some should be allowed to remain in the United States in a temporary guest worker program. Another 30.6 percent said most illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay as temporary workers, but should be required to leave eventually.

Other solutions to the issue drew less support. Only 25 percent of voters agreed that all illegal immigrants should be required to go home immediately and just 4.5 percent thought all illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the U.S. permanently.

Monson called Cannon's assertions that it was not a one-issue election "partly right and partly wrong."

"I would say there were other issues, but immigration was clearly the focal point," he said.

The exit poll was conducted by volunteer student interviewers at 30 randomly selected polling locations in the 3rd District. Students interviewed 1,483 voters, 1,264 of which cast a vote in the Republican primary. The poll has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.92 percent.

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com