Matheson sprints ahead in fund-raising

WASHINGTON — In one of the nation's most closely watched House campaigns, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is again way ahead in the early money race against his two main Republican opponents, John Swallow and Tim Bridgewater.

Two years ago, political scientists credited Matheson's tight win in his Republican-majority district to the big head start he amassed in money then. That came, as it does now, as Swallow and Bridgewater used their early resources to battle each for the GOP nomination, and Swallow was slow to attract extra money after winning it.

In Federal Election Commission forms filed this weekend, Matheson reported having $589,745 in cash on hand as of Dec. 31.

In comparison, Swallow had about half that — $279,178. Bridgewater had less — $200,430. A third Republican candidate, David Wilde, reported $10,451 in cash.

That 2nd District race is among only a few dozen in the nation that are considered truly competitive — since Matheson won two years ago with 49.43 percent of the vote to Swallow's 48.69 percent (with the rest going to minor candidates).

Matheson's retaining that seat is seen as a key to any Democratic chances of winning back control of the House. The GOP now holds a thin majority there: 228 Republicans to 204 Democrats and one independent (and two vacancies).

Showing how important even House Democrats themselves consider the Utah race, 39 of them — one of every five — donated to Matheson's campaign last year. They and the political action committees they control donated more than $40,000 to him, often out of their own re-election funds.

That included $7,000 from PACs controlled by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who would become speaker of the House if Democrats win control, and $7,500 from PACs controlled by Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Several Democrats who would also become committee chairmen if Democrats seize control of the House also donated to Matheson, including: Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass. (who would chair the Financial Services Committee); George Miller, D-Calif. (Education and the Workforce); Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. (Ways and Means); and Henry Waxman, D-Calif. (Government Reform).

Of the $642,379 total that Matheson raised last year, more than half — $363,295 — came from political action committees of special-interest groups ranging from labor unions to transportation groups.