Matheson defends mailing to constituents

Some Republicans may complain, but new, federally funded mailers sent out by Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson met all of the congressional requirements and are indeed fliers aimed at communicating with Matheson's constituents, a Matheson spokeswoman says.

Jason Chaffetz, a former chief of staff to GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., complains that Matheson's latest "franked" mailer, titled "Working in Congress to Protect Utah's Children," is really "just a campaign piece."

"If it looks like campaigning, smells like campaigning, it is campaigning," said Chaffetz, who briefly considered a run against Matheson in the 2nd District last year. Chaffetz ultimately didn't get in the race and later left the governor's office to start up his own firm.

Matheson seeks a fourth, two-year term this year. His Republican Party opponent is Utah House Rep. LaVar Christensen of Draper.

"We followed every (congressional) rule in sending out this mailer, and they are rigorous rules," said Alyson Heyrend, Matheson's congressional spokeswoman.

This is the second election in a row where Utah Republicans complained about a Matheson mailer sent out on what's termed the "frank" — the official use of the U.S. mails by members of Congress in communicating with their constituents.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, also sent out a frank mailing piece in early August, said his chief of staff Scott Parker. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, sent out no franked mailers this year, said his campaign manager Dave Hansen. Rep. Chris Cannon , R-Utah, could not be reached for comment on any franking he may have done.

Parker said Bishop sends out a frank mailing "just about every recess Congress has, so we can announce our town hall meetings in the district. We think that is a legitimate use of the frank." His August mailer details congressional action on seven topics and lists eight town hall meetings. Bishop's is titled "Working For Utah Families."

Matheson sent out two mailings just before the franking deadline of Aug. 9. By rule, Congress says incumbents in an election year can't send out a franked mailer within 90 days of either a primary or general election.

Heyrend said that Matheson delivered two franked mailers to the post office on Aug. 4.

Matheson sent out about 50,000 copies of each mailer — for a 100,000 overall mailing. That may sound like a lot, but in 2004 Bishop sent out two mailers of 129,000 each to his 1st District residents.

Chaffetz said that the mailer that came to his Alpine home was addressed to his wife. "Was (Matheson) targeting women in heavily Republican areas" of his 2nd District? Chaffetz asked.

"I'm sure we addressed the same number of mailings to men and women," said Heyrend.