Babka aide retracts anti-Cannon remark

PROVO — Jeff Bell, campaign manager for 3rd Congressional candidate Beau Babka, has retracted a statement made by the Democrat's campaign in a Friday press release criticizing opponent Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah.

"With every broken campaign promise and every lost quality Utah job, Chris Cannon's political agenda has taken a sharp turn from his constituents and has focused on aiding big business and his own profit margins," said the press release released last week.

In his retraction, Bell said the release should have stated that Cannon has focused on financial benefits for his campaign — not for Cannon himself. He said the error occurred because he failed to read the press release, which was drafted by an intern.

"It wasn't about name calling or mud-slinging or my retraction wouldn't be there," Bell said.

Bell also blasted the Utah Democratic Party for its lack of support, saying they've left Babka and other campaigns "out in the wind."

"Somewhere along the way, we never got support from the state party, or the national party," he said. "There was no logistical support, no financial support and no volunteer support."

But Bell said that lack of support leaves Babka in a great position if he's elected.

"When you get help from the party, whether anybody will admit it or not, it's a debt thing," he said. "There's going to be no bullying — there is no debt."