Green Party activist challenges Matheson

The Green Party of Utah has nominated its sole candidate for national office.

Bob Brister, an environmental activist who has worked for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, will challenge Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah. Brister joins a field of six other candidates running for the 2nd Congressional District.

Along with his interest in the environment, Brister is a strong advocate for removing U.S. troops from Iraq, establishing a living wage and creating a national health insurance system.

Brister is the only candidate representing the Green Party of Utah in state or national elections in Utah this year. He was incorrectly listed in initial published filings as being affiliated with the Desert Greens, which is actually a separate political party.

The Desert Greens, created when the Green Party split two years ago because of disputes about which presidential candidate to support, are fielding four candidates. While that group is not recognized by the state as the official Green Party, it is the local organization affiliated with the national Green Party.