Utah Republicans: Cannon hangs on for primary race

OREM — U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon squeaked into another GOP primary Saturday, as his 3rd Congressional District delegates almost voted him out of office during the state Republican convention.

Cannon, R-Utah, will face Jason Chaffetz, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s former chief of staff, who got 59 percent of the delegate vote — coming within a few votes of eliminating Cannon and winning the party nomination outright.

Former GOP Congressman Merrill Cook, as he has before, failed to get out of a state GOP convention. The loss ended his attempt to reclaim his old 2nd Congressional District seat.

"This is our process," a disappointed Cannon said just before the final round of voting. Since he's had primaries before, Cannon said, "Yeah, I'm kind of used to it. But it is frustrating. The only way not (to have a party primary — to go without a convention) is to become an independent. But I'm a Republican."

Chaffetz said: "We're just thrilled to walk out of here dominating at the convention. It's just unbelievable."

According to the Utah GOP state convention Web site, Chaffetz received 563 delegate votes to Cannon's 391.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said Saturday that he will run for re-election in 2010. He would be 83 at the end of what would be his fourth sixth-year term should he win again.

"I feel good and believe I'm still in good with the Utah Republican Party."

Still, seeing Cannon struggling in Saturday's convention at Utah Valley State College, Bennett wondered out loud if any federal officeholder would find much luck against GOP state delegates — many of whom are arch-conservatives who seem displeased with all members of Congress.

The dislike for Cannon was palpable. Just before the final round of voting, as Cannon walked down to the convention floor with David Leavitt — who threw his support to Cannon after being eliminated in the second round of voting — Cannon was booed by a number of delegates, with some yelling for him to just leave.

"We had a lot of mad people" at the convention, Cannon said. "I was surprised by the ferocity" of the Chaffetz supporters, he added.

Cook fell to political newcomer Bill Dew, a millionaire homebuilder who will be the GOP nominee to face U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, this November.

Cook said he will stick with the Republican Party (he's run as an independent in other races) and endorse Dew, although Cook didn't give Dew much of a chance against the popular Matheson.

"I would have been the candidate who would have had a chance against Matheson," Cook said.