Matheson to skip Demo conclave

Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's only Democrat in Congress, won't be heading to his party's national convention in Boston later this month, even though he is a member of the state's official delegation.

Instead, Matheson will stay in Utah and use the time campaigning for re-election to a third term. He's facing a tough race against Republican challenger John Swallow, who nearly beat him two years ago in the largely GOP 2nd District.

"This is an election year, and I take my elections very seriously," Matheson said. "Every campaign year, I take every day I can to campaign and be with my constituents — convention year or not."

The four-day convention that begins July 26 would have been Matheson's first, and an opportunity for him to participate in the formal nomination of Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and John Edwards of North Carolina as president and vice president.

But Matheson said he wasn't interested.

"I don't think there's any doubt about the outcome," he said of the presidential nomination process. "I've never been to a convention before in my life, and I can live my whole life without going to one."

The congressman said he wasn't concerned about the more liberal politics of the national party affecting his campaign.

"People can throw around labels all they want," he said. "The bottom line is, I am who I am."

Even some Utah Democrats have expressed displeasure with Matheson, especially his support for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. At the party's state convention, many delegates wore "Don't Amend" stickers, and a few turned their backs when he spoke.

The Democratic Party platform, which will be voted on by delegates to the national convention, is expected to oppose the amendment. Instead, it's likely to call for states to be free to define marriage.

Matheson said that wasn't an issue in his decision to drop out of the delegation going to Boston.

"My position has been and always has been what it is," he said. "I think the people in Utah know who I am."

Donald Dunn, state Democratic Party chairman, agrees with Matheson's decision to stay in Utah.

"Jim has to prioritize his time. He's very concerned about this race and needs to spend his time where he's going to get the most votes," Dunn said. "And he's going to get more votes by being in Utah than he will by being at the national convention."

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com