Former legislator Morgan Philpot announces candidacy for Congress

SALT LAKE CITY — Republican Morgan Philpot has two words for Utah voters: Scott Brown.

As Philpot officially announced his candidacy for Utah's 2nd District, the former GOP state legislator sought to compare himself to the recently elected Massachusetts senator.

"I hope that those leaders who got us into this mess will continue to underestimate the discontent, as they did in Massachusetts," he said.

There has been a shift in public sentiment since voters last elected Democrat Jim Matheson to represent the 2nd District in Congress, Philpot said.

"People feel differently today," he said. "Matheson's win was a result of things we didn't see before. Our leaders lack the fiscal restraint to save the country."

Philpot, who resigned as vice chairman of the Utah Republican Party on Jan. 23, asserted that out-of-control spending by Congress, among other issues, poses a greater threat to the United States than the forces faced in World War II.

He predicted the rise of another "greatest generation" that would stop "oppressive" federal encroachment.

"Everywhere we see that D.C. is out of control," Philpot said. "Instead of restraint and discipline, our leaders seem ready to step on the accelerator and drive our economy over a cliff."

Various conservative lawmakers and leaders, including John Swallow, who challenged Matheson in 2002, flanked Philpot during the event and spoke out in support of his candidacy.

Despite Matheson's $1 million-plus campaign war chest, Philpot predicted he would raise more money in the state as well as tap into national groups that supported Brown in Massachusetts.

"People know it's time to wake up from the reoccurring nightmare of a president and Congress that don't see their own mistakes as impediments to liberty and prosperity," he said.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, also predicted that Philpot would ride a wave of discontent.

"He can enroll people in a vision of a better Utah," Stephenson said.

Matheson has defeated Republican challengers by increasing margins since barely winning re-election in a redrawn congressional district in 2002.

e-mail: jsmith@desnews.com