Rep. Jim Matheson answers questions during a media availability in West Jordan, Monday, Oct. 1, 2012. Jon Huntsman Sr. has endorsed Matheson for the new 4th District seat.
Ravell Call, Deseret News archives
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's only Democrat in Congress, Rep. Jim Matheson, announced the endorsement of GOP businessman and philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr. in his bid for the new 4th District seat.
Huntsman Sr. said in a statement that Matheson "is a conservative 'Blue Dog' congressional leader from Utah who represents our state very well" and someone who puts the state's interests first.
The founder and chairman and Huntsman Corp. also cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's support of Matheson. Huntsman Sr. previously served as the conservative business organization's vice chairman.
Matheson, who is in a tight race with Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love, a Republican, said his family and the Huntsmans "have long shared the values of giving back to the community and working in a bipartisan way to solve problems and achieve progress."
Former GOP presidential candidate and Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr. "isn't endorsing anyone this cycle," his daughter, Abby Livingston, said.
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Lisa Riley Roche covers politics for the Deseret News/KSL news division, producing content for the newspaper, the TV and radio stations, and both deseretnews.com and ksl.com. She has been a reporter for more than 25 years, more ..
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Kudos to Jon Huntsman Sr. for being willing to cross party lines to endorse the quality candidate in the race. Good Job, Mr. Huntsman.
Common sense prevails over right wing extremism!
jpjazz: Matheson didn't decide to leave his district, the Legislature carved him out of it. The 4th District is the "closest" thing remaining.
I support Matheson because of his staunch support of the 2nd Amendment (he is NRA More..