Democrats pick candidates for state, national office

Scott M. Matheson Jr. became the official candidate for governor Saturday without challenge at the state Democratic convention, while his brother, 2nd Congressional District Rep. Jim Matheson, promised to make a fight against any new nuclear testing in Nevada his top issue in Congress should he win a third term.

Education, jobs, health care, nuclear waste and anti-discrimination led the list of candidates' concerns, with speakers taking aim at the deficits, job losses and funding cuts for military families that have occurred under the Bush administration's watch.

"We must make our children and their education and their well-being our top priority," Scott Matheson said. "If we do that, our commitment to jobs, health care and quality of life will grow even stronger."

Scott Matheson will face whoever gets the Republican party nod. Eight candidates were vying for the slot, which was to be decided either at Saturday's GOP convention or after a June runoff election.

Jim Matheson ran in 2002 in a gerrymandered district that takes in almost all of eastern and southern Utah and half of Salt Lake County, defeating Republican state legislator John Swallow by a mere 1,641 votes. Swallow was one of the candidates lining up to run against Matheson Saturday at the Republican convention in Sandy.

Matheson is opposed to the Bush administration's nuclear "bunker-busting bombs" and "mini nukes" and is backing a bill that would require the federal government to shut down testing if radioactive fallout travels outside Nevada.

Former Gov. Scott Matheson Sr. died at 61 of cancer his family believes was due to living in Parowan, downwind of the nuclear tests in the 1950s.

"We all know the government lied," Jim Matheson said Saturday to a standing ovation. "And now once again we are faced with testing of a new nuclear weapon. ... I put that as my No. 1 legislative priority."

During his speech, about 50 people turned their backs to him to protest his backing of a proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage. The Stonewall Democrats, who were behind the action, decided on the protest at their caucus meeting Friday night.

About 15 people had done the same earlier when Matheson introduced keynote speaker Rep. Ben Chandler of Kentucky. But before he spoke, several members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers strode to the front of the auditorium and filled in rows around most of the protesters, blocking them from sight.

One of the protesters, Christy Gleave, said she was torn about the protest. "It's sad, because we love him," she said. But amending the Constitution "to write in hate should never be allowed," she said. "It's asinine."