Anderson said he thinks the differences along religious and political lines trace back to his support of gay and lesbian rights and for revamping liquor laws.

"I think there's real judgment against me by some members of the LDS Church because of those issues, but I just wish that they would get to know me better," Anderson said.

Opponents are lining up against him already, including several current and former City Council members. Among those, Council Chairman Buhler has said he is considering a run and has gone as far as conducting a poll of his own. He wouldn't discuss the results other than to say they were very positive.

"I'm continuing to give it very serious thought and explore and see if it makes sense to do this," Buhler said. "I'm going to make any decision independent of what other people may do."

Eric Jergensen, who won his second council term this fall, said that he is giving first consideration to his family.

"We'll gather a group of close family friends, but ultimately the decision will be between Diane and me," Jergensen said of his wife. "The most important consideration is (our) 9-month-old daughter."

Jill Remington Love said she has been flattered by community support for her possible run for mayor, but she's far from ready to make a decision about the election. Love said she would want to know whether she could raise the money for the campaign. She estimated a successful campaign would take roughly $500,000 — and would have the support of community and business leaders.

Another city veteran who is considering a run is Keith Christensen, a former City Council representative from Sugar House and current chairman of the airport board. Christensen, who is close friends with Anderson, said he would run only if the current mayor decides against seeking a third term.

"One of us will make a decision and one of us will support," Christensen said. "It's not about who wants to be mayor, but who the community would like to see become mayor."

The Salt Lake City Council's approval rating was similar to Anderson's in the same poll — 59 percent of respondents said they approved of the job the council was doing, and 16 percent disapproved, with 24 percent saying they didn't know.

"Usually when you have a group whether it's the Legislature, Congress or whatever in the legislative body, usually the approval rating is low," Buhler said.

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E-mail: kswinyard@desnews.com