Republican eyes Matheson challenge

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Former state representative and current Utah Republican Vice Chairman Morgan Philpot is exploring a bid to challenge Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson in Utah's 2nd Congressional District.

Philpot has scheduled a series of public events and speaking engagements around the district to gauge his public support. He was in Naples, near Vernal, Tuesday night to meet with "everyday activists."

He has another meeting scheduled Thursday in Highland City where, according to the announcement on Facebook, he will discuss "what it will take to return Congressional District 2 to Republican hands."

"I'm seriously thinking about it," Philpot said. "I'm just gauging response to how Republicans feel about the Second Congressional District.... I think something we've got to determine is how much support exists out there for someone to run against Matheson. Maybe the support he's garnered is a result of who he is or who his past challengers are not."

Philpot said he hopes to make up his mind one way or the other by mid-January.

Philpot's entry into the race would give the Republicans their first contender after much searching for a challenger to Matheson.

The Democratic Congressman has been criticized by activists in his own party for opposing health care reform legislation, climate change legislation and other priorities of President Barack Obama.

But Matheson won re-election by nearly 20 percentage points over the lackluster candidacy

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13900684