"I'm not really trying to run against someone in my own party," he said, "but it's somewhere I feel I can make a tremendous difference."

Cannon spent more than $600,000 to defeat Republican challenger Matt Throckmorton and Democrat Beau Babka in 2004. Throckmorton raised $84,000. Babka spent $35,000. However, immigration reform groups also attacked Cannon through billboards, ads and Web sites.

Hunter estimated those groups spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in an attempt to weaken Cannon, a co-sponsor of bipartisan federal legislation that would streamline employment of foreign laborers. It also would offer temporary visas and ultimately U.S. citizenship to undocumented workers, who would have to pay fines and complete other requirements. President Bush backs the plan.

National lobbying groups opposed to the plan attack it as soft on borders and soft on people who committed a crime by entering the country illegally.

"That issue certainly didn't defeat us," Hunter said of the 2004 election. Cannon topped Throckmorton in the primary, 58 percent to 42. He beat Babka 63-33.

"It is highly likely Congress will deal with the immigration issue between now and next year's election," Hunter said, "probably sooner rather than later. That will be the opportunity for people to see what Chris Cannon's position is on immigration. It will be very strong on border enforcement and internal enforcement."

"I do have a different viewpoint about it," Jacob said. "I feel we at least need to enforce the laws we have."

The decision by Jacob comes very early, less than a year since Cannon was re-elected. More than seven months remain before the state Republican convention. The Republican primary is June 27.

Jacob is focused on enforcing U.S. borders, protecting families and building a robust economy with low taxes and limited government.

"We need to protect and preserve the integrity of the American family and guarantee our children in Utah and across the nation a better future," he said.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com