Leaked letter to KSL silly political stunt

It was a curious start to the next 2nd Congressional District race when Congressman Jim Matheson's office leaked a letter that it sent to KSL Radio. The letter, written by an attorney, raised concerns about popular radio host Doug Wright's interest in a run against Matheson next year.

It was an odd political move for several reasons. First, why would the Matheson political camp want to start the next campaign just 11 months removed from the last one? Second, why would they want to pick a fight with KSL, the most respected media outlet in the state? Third, why take a shot at Doug Wright, the most popular radio personality in the market? Maybe they have been polling and know something that the rest of us only suspect — that Doug Wright would pose a serious challenge to Congressman Matheson.

It seems like a panicky first step coming from such a well-oiled political machine as the Matheson office. While the letter was written on an attorney's letterhead, make no mistake, this was strictly a political maneuver, not a legal one. Otherwise, why leak it to the press? The letter raised concerns over the fact that Mr. Wright might be thinking about running for office, or otherwise be testing the waters, while still remaining on the air as a talk show host.

It is a ridiculous legal argument that has no basis in well-established federal elections law. FEC rules state that if you raise or spend $5,000, you need to file with the FEC as a candidate. State law does not require you or even allow you to file as a candidate until mid-March 2006. In the meantime Mr. Wright is free to think about it all he wants. He can daydream about going to battle on the House floor against the liberal foes of all that is right (or Wright) about America. He is free to talk to as many people about it as often as he likes. He is free to do his homework, look at past voting patterns, dissect Mr. Matheson's voting record, gauge the depth of financial support that may be available in Utah and Washington, meet with party leaders and consultants, and do anything else he chooses to do to "test the waters." Until he meets the FEC threshold of raising or spending more than $5,000, formally announces his candidacy, or files as a candidate for office, he is not a candidate.