Reader comments
Chaffetz home a hurdle?

Why is this such a big deal, especially with the Gerrymandering that the state GOP did to try and unseat Matheson? I lived in the same neighborhood as Chaffetz from 1995-2000 and at that time we were in the 3rd district. We left the state briefly and returned to find ourselves suddenly in the 2nd district.

From what I understand, the state has already approved a plan to re-assign all of Utah county back to the 3rd district in 2010. If this is really such a big deal, perhaps next time the state could just take the neighborhood where Matheson lives and assign it to some other district.

Maybe at the same time would create a special "Idaho" zone around the homes of Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett to disqualify them for the Senate.

This is a non-issue. Jason has been very honest about where he lives.

Jason meets all the legal and Constitutional requirements to be on the ballot. The Founders specifically excluded a district residency
requirement because of concerns about gerrymandering.

Jason lives in Alpine, which is 11,000 feet from the district boundary. He has lived in Utah County for 20 years.

Gerrymandering in 2001 removed 4 Utah County cities from the Third District and combined them with the less conservative communities of the Second District.

The legislature has officially approved only one map for a Fourth District at this time. It puts Alpine back in the Third District.

So what's the problem, Mr. Davidson? You answered your own question in the second paragraph of your article, so I guess you can quit digging now. I find it hard to believe that this situation has only happened twice in U.S. history, and both times in Maryland. Did you really check all 50 states, I wonder? But even if it has, big deal. It's not a requirement, so why make a mountain out of a molehill?

By the way, how long has it been since Sen. Orrin Hatch has actually "resided" in Utah? Try digging up the answer to that one -- he was using his parents' address in Midvale for his "home" address for years!

I wonder...
Is Chaffetz the first House member whose name ends in 'tz'? Now, that's not necessarily a requirement to run for Congress, but let's make an issue out of it anyways.

"By the way, how long has it been since Sen. Orrin Hatch has actually "resided" in Utah? Try digging up the answer to that one -- he was using his parents' address in Midvale for his "home" address for years! " -- I'm amazed Hatch doesn't run for Pennsylvania, as that's where he was born and raised.

Does less conservative mean Non Mormon, Minority, Poor, or all of the above. I have No Problems with keeping Zion, intact. As a matter of fact I think highly of the idea. Anything legal that will keep the Flaming Liberals In Check. The Utah Status quo the same and carry on the plan. Utah is different because it was meant to be different. It is very much the same in it Difference. The Church in part has thought us to be very active in local stuff. School Boards, Politics, in stead of sending out kids of to private school we make the Local School safe and accountable. Same for City, Council and Mayor. I am a huge fan of at large Representation. The smaller the population the better this idea works. Utah, extends into Idaho, Arizona, and Nevada (Los Vegas was a Mormon Settlement and the Church is still very strong there, and at the last time I check growing). Arizona down into Safford, and West to Mesa, Phoenix and the like. Lines can be moved that is what the people in charge do to stay in charge. In Utah the idea is to Stay In Charge.

Just how much time does the carpet bagger Orrin Hatch spend in his so called home state, I'd take Jason any day over over Orrin, Hmmm what a thought...

I love all these comments so far stated. (non story, arc, Chaffetz lives in Utah) And if I had my choice all incumbents would be voted out and maybe we could a congress that thinks of their country instead of their lobbyist friends or the big money that pays them off each election. Are you listening Hatch, Bennett. Good for Jason Chaffetz

I hope Jason wins, but it is an issue that needs to be addressed as I am sure the Democrats will make an issue of it in November.

Also, quit being so nasty about Orrin Hatch. He has been a resident of Utah for many years and has done a great job of representing us. He was a resident of Utah for seven years before he even ran the first time. He also has a lot of deep roots here. So stop it.

Oh My Gosh! Here we go again.

The issue isn't geography. The issue is representation of an entire state, Utah. The question is not, "Where does Jason Chaffetz live?" The question is, "Is Jason Chaffetz fully aware of the desires, values, ethics, wants and mostly, the "Needs" of the people; not only in Utah County, but of every precinct within every county and city contained in the 3rd congressional district." I truly believe HE IS. Jason Chaffetz will serve the state of Utah with honorable distinction.

The only reason Chafetz chose to run against Cannon in the Third district, is because he knew that he would not be able to defeat Matheson. He, Chafetz, would come across as a way too scary Fascist, which is what he is, if we're all being honest here. Rush Limbaugh spoke of this primary, he spoke of Cannon's nearly perfect conservative voting record 96%. Cannon was endorsed by President Bush, who is still widely popular in Utah. Mr. Chafetz, who worked closely with Gov. Hunstsman, did not receive the Guv's endorsement. In fact Chafetz has gone out and said the Gov is too liberal!

Chafetz is scary folks, as a lifelong Republican, who has not ever voted Democrat, Spencer Bennion is looking like the right choice. He's a conservative Democrat like Matheson, who the 2nd District likes. Many comments have mentioned gerrymandering so needless to say Matheson was elected by more than liberal SL County.

Those of us in the Third District have a duty to NOT vote for Chafetz, heck he won't even vote for himself, lets all take our cue from him. Jason, I'll vote for you if you vote for you.

God Bless America!

Jason, I will vote for you if you do. Deal? Go Spencer Bennion

I listened with great interest as Mr. Chaffetz lambasted Cannon's ineffectiveness...making promise after promise about changing Washington. The big issue is can he live up to his "political Pipe Dream."

The answer will be a very sad and dissapointing no. How can someone be so naive as to believe that "I will demand new energy sources," "I will insist on lower oil prices," and "I will change the way things are done in Washington!" and actually be able to do something about it.

I'll be watching the promises -vs- the actual accomplishment. That's the real issue.

So suprised? Typical of political hacks..bend the rules to fit them. SAME OLD! SAME OLD! I wonder what else is in store for the residents of his "none" district from this "bend the rule" flake?

As stated by others, this is a non-issue. What part of "legal and constitutional" do you not understand? Further, Jason Chaffetz live closer to me (my very house) than any previous representative of the 3rd Distrct. Further, it seems that every time I turn around "my district" changes because I live close to the current boundary. I have supported Jason for months -- for one SIMPLE reason -- his views parallel my views -- about fiscal responsibility -- about immigration -- about the core role of government -- about education. Where he lives is not my my top 10, or 20, or maybe 10,000. I guess residency is addressed when no other issue will do.

It may be legal, but I want someone to live in the district they represent. Perhaps at this time, residency requirements should be looked at.

I was glad to see Cannon go even though my tax dollars went to pay for a closed "club." Bennion Spencer will have my vote.

Too bad Davidson didn't do this article BEFORE the primary! It would have made a big difference for me!! Looks like opportunism and good old fashioned "carpetbagging" to me.

All that matters is that "R" after his name.

Well, if the choice comes down to someone from outside the district or a Democrat, what's a good Utah voter to do?

Straight ticket voters won't have to think about it too much (not that they ever do).

I listened last week as Ethan Millard, on KSL, sought to have us consider more seriously the insinuations of Wesley Clark about McCain's career as a naval aviator and whether that "qualified" him to be the president. Millard asked repeatedly (probably 20 times or more during the hour-long harangue), whether McCain was over-representing his qualifications for the presidency. Note clearly that McCain had not been making comments about his naval service (his executive experience was as a squadron commander, if memory serves) - it was Clark, pitching for Obama, who had brought it up, and Millard went even further than Clark in his demagoguery, using tactics of repetition and innuendo.

My point is that we, in this country, believe that the media have an important function in preparing voters for elections by their reportage. Like all jobs, there are fundamentals of performance which ought to be adhered to and standards which ought to be upheld. Millard failed and so does this reporter. These allegations are given a gloss of research to make them look like something important, but most of the comments indicate that readers don't buy it. And (in the words of Martha Stewart), that's a good thing.

"He was the first black..." Black what? Black haired?