Gov. Jon Hunstman Jr. unveiled a new four-congressional district map Wednesday as negotiations continue in Washington to grant Utah an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"It is imperative that we come together and do what is best for Utah. Clearly, it is in our best interest to gain a much needed and deserved fourth seat," Huntsman said Wednesday. "This map is consistent with my pledge of fairness made last week to the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives."

Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., wants to change a pending bill that would give Utah a fourth House seat that is at-large until the 2010 Census, instead creating four distinct geographic districts that would be established by the state.

Huntsman testified before the committee last week in Washington, saying while he preferred the at-large option, redistricting could be done fairly.

"Whether we like it or not, that legislation granting Utah a fourth congressional seat can only make it through the House Judiciary Committee with an amendment striking the 'at-large' election provision," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah.

"I have made it clear, and I think many Utahns agree, that what matters is that we get the additional seat we deserve and for which we have fought so hard."

The Utah seat is a political compromise in a bill that grants a vote in the House for the District of Columbia, where residents currently do not have a voting member in the House or Senate.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C. is still working on a compromise to get the bill through, according to her office.

Cannon encouraged the governor and Utah's state legislative leaders to work with Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, "to provide the assurances he apparently needs in order to embrace a process that will lead to a fair reapportionment."

"We should not lose this opportunity to gain the fourth seat we so clearly deserve due to the partisan interests of any member of the delegation," Cannon said.

But Matheson says it's up to the Republicans to make sure this bill goes through and he is not the one preventing it from moving forward.

"I have always said Utah deserves an additional voice in Congress," Matheson said in a statement. "Utah should have been given a fourth seat after the 2000 Census. I've supported bipartisan legislation that would accomplish the goal. That compromise bill took partisanship out of the mix, and it seemed likely to move forward, until one member of Congress blocked the bill's progress. If it gets unstuck, I look forward to voting for it. But clearly the ball is in the majority party's court."

Matheson spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said Matheson would vote for a bill giving Utah a fourth seat, whether it creates a fourth district or an at-large position.