"It is critical to me, and I think it is critical to whoever runs, that it be an entirely positive campaign about the issues. The last election was embarrassing and obviously ineffective and turned off the voters," he said. "I will not, and cannot, run a campaign like that."

He pointed to Huntsman's campaign, widely praised for its civility. That race was the first for Chaffetz, 38, since his involvement in the failed 1988 presidential race of Democrat Michael Dukakis — a relative by marriage.

But even though Chaffetz said he has assured Matheson's staff he would run a positive race if he decides to jump in, he couldn't resist taking a jab at the congressman. "He's not a good Democrat and certainly not a Republican," Chaffetz said.

"Consequently, he is not able to get done for the state what you could as somebody who is true to one party or the other. If you're going to act and vote like a Republican, perhaps the district should send back a Republican."

Matheson's spokeswoman, Alyson Heyrend, said the congressman is "proud of his record. He thinks it is right in line with what the voters of the 2nd Congressional District want. He'll continue being the independent voice who does what he thinks is right for the district."

She said no matter who runs against him, Matheson "plans to do what he's always done, which is raise a lot of money and conduct a very vigorous campaign. According to Federal Election Commission filings in mid-July, he had $333,346 in cash.

Chaffetz said whoever runs needs to "jump in now. If you don't start raising money and rallying the party, you just never make a viable go of it," he said. He said he's been approached to run as someone who would be an energetic candidate.

"You've got to have an entrepreneurial spirit to run, because there's no guarantees," Chaffetz said. "I think I have that sort of energy and zeal and am willing to put my name and reputation on the line."

He said he has not yet figured out whether he would resign or just take a leave from his job as the governor's top adviser if he decides to run. It would be hard to leave, he said, "but you know at some point, you need to spread your own wings."

Huntsman's spokeswoman Tammy Kikuchi said that "until Jason is an announced candidate, there is nothing to say." Kikuchi also declined to speculate on whether the governor would endorse Chaffetz if he were to enter the race.

"We'll leave the endorsement decision up the governor," she said.

Chaffetz said he "could only run if the governor were very supportive. How and what that looks like, I don't know." He said he and Huntsman have talked about the race many times, and the governor told him to do what was best for his family.

"If I don't do it, that's probably the reason," Chaffetz said. He has a son, 12, and two daughters, ages 9 and 4. But he said a serious accident recently that left him with multiple metal screws in his heel won't be a factor because he should be off crutches by October.

Another option for Chaffetz would be to return to the private sector. "I had 14 years of business experience. I very well may go back to that. I don't perceive myself as a career politician," he said. "You do your service and get out."

But he said he would not "self-impose" any term limit at the federal level.

Chaffetz is a former Brigham Young University football place kicker who was a partner in Maxtera, a sales and marketing consulting company, before joining the Huntsman campaign. Before that, he worked for 11 years at Nu Skin Enterprises.

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