Jacob, Cannon similar in views

OREM — Nearly $1 million has been spent on Tuesday's Republican primary for Utah's 3rd District congressional seat, with much of the cash targeted at defining the two candidates' positions on illegal immigration.

The topic has been the flash point in the campaign, and for good reason. The responses by Rep. Chris Cannon and challenger John Jacob to a Deseret Morning News questionnaire show they share very similar views on a wide range of topics — including, in many respects, illegal immigration.

A poll conducted this past week for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV by Dan Jones & Associates shows that Cannon leads Jacob 46 percent to 33 percent among all voters. However, among Republicans alone, Cannon's lead jumps to 60 percent versus Jacob's 35 percent. And Tuesday's election is open only to registered Republicans.

In their replies to the Morning News questionnaire, Cannon and Jacob both said they support constitutional amendments to protect the flag and traditional marriage. They each want to curb government spending and fight high gas prices by opening up federal and other lands for the development of oil resources in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Alaska.

The two conservatives also want to derail the federal education mandate No Child Left Behind, although Jacob blames Cannon for voting for it. Cannon said his 2001 vote did reauthorize a decades-old law but that he quickly learned the revamped measure was a mistake and has fought against it for years. He now calls for the abolishment of the entire U.S. Department of Education.

Even on illegal immigration, both men oppose the Senate bill and its path to citizenship for illegal aliens, though Cannon's critics say the bill was inspired by an earlier House agricultural jobs bill introduced by Cannon. That bill would have allowed some farm workers to earn legal status. Jacob and Cannon like the December 2005 House bill — Cannon voted for it — because of its border enforcement measures, but they agree it isn't sufficient.

They also say the key elements of effective immigration reform are border security, interior enforcement and tools to help businesses comply with laws against hiring illegal aliens. And they want tamper-proof identification for all immigrants to the United States.

They even said they are both against amnesty for illegal immigrants, though this is also where the two 50-something, Utah County millionaire businessmen have some differences.