Cannon-Jacob rivalry seen as GOP bellwether

PROVO — A CNN news crew will film today's debate between Chris Cannon and John Jacob at Utah Valley State College as the international news organization prepares to explore America's illegal-immigration debate through the Republican primary in Utah's 3rd Congressional District.

Jacob had planned to take a day off from the campaign trail on Friday but instead chose to hold a press conference to address the national attention the race has received, including comments from conservative radio megastars Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

Jacob said a reporter for Congressional Quarterly told him this week that single-issue candidates never get elected, and Jacob argued Friday the race is about more than illegal immigration.

"There's no question (the national attention on immigration) helps me, and for the nation it's a one-issue race," Jacob said. "But for Utahns, there are many issues."

He listed education, energy, the Second Amendment and fighting pornography as issues that interest 3rd District voters, based on poll results, but illegal immigration led the list — with 25 percent saying it is the most important issue. And Jacob acknowledged the possible national fallout should he upset Cannon in the June 27 primary.

"There's no question this is bigger than Chris Cannon and John Jacob," Jacob said. "This race could go a long way toward determining whether we have illegal immigration and amnesty or whether we'll send (illegal immigrants) back or invite them to go back and secure our borders."

The debate begins at 1 p.m. in the ballroom at UVSC's Sorensen Student Center, part of a voter expo open to the public from 12:30 to 5 p.m. with appearances by candidates in five primary races.

"Our events bring the one-stop shopping concept to voter-education," said Orem resident Jessica Connors, who is helping organize the expo for the non-partisan group Citizens' Resource. "The general public is encouraged to come meet the candidates personally, hear them debate the issues with their opponents and come away reasonably informed in a single afternoon."

Veteran CNN political reporter Candy Crowley flew to Utah on Friday and she and her crew will film the debate.

Both Cannon, a five-term incumbent, and Jacob consider themselves strong on borders, but Jacob and national immigration restriction groups have attacked Cannon for promoting guest-worker program legislation that would allow many illegal immigrants to work toward visas and possibly citizenship.