Chaffetz Picks Up Romney Endorsement
Jason Chaffetz continues to burnish his conservative credentials as he picks up the endorsement of another rising star in the Republican Party, Mitt Romney.
~~John Cronin~~
http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/276063/17/
Joe Pyrah - Daily Herald
With a lengthening parade of endorsements by well known Republicans — now including Mitt Romney — Jason Chaffetz, the GOP candidate for Utah’s Third District seat in Congress, may not need the backing of incumbent Rep. Chris Cannon.
On Thursday the Herald learned that Romney plans to endorse Chaffetz next week, joining Utah Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch, and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who have already endorsed him.
Cannon, meanwhile, remains cool to his former rival. In a written statement Thursday, Cannon referred to “questions” about Chaffetz from residents of his district, and said he will seek a meeting with him during Congress’s summer recess, which has just begun.
“A number of residents of the 3rd District have asked me questions about issues that I need to ask Jason prior to an endorsement. I view this as part of my obligation as their representative,” Cannon said.
Chaffetz defeated Cannon by 20 points in the party’s June 24 primary.
Utah, especially the 3rd District, adores Romney. He won the presidential primary here with nearly 90 percent of the vote. Provo’s 84604 ZIP code was the top grossing fundraising area in the country for his campaign, with Chaffetz’s ZIP code in Alpine ranking ninth.
“Utah certainly claims Romney as a native son,” said Kirk Jowers of the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
“An endorsement by Romney is pure gold in Utah. No one has ever gotten 90 percent, really, in any contest before.”
Chaffetz is running against Democrat Bennion Spencer and Constitutionalist Jim Noorlander in November’s general election.
Spencer doesn’t mind that Romney has endorsed his opponent. He likes the former Massachusetts governor. “His position that Washington is broken is true,” Spencer said.
For his part, Spencer has the endorsement of former KSL anchor and Utah mainstay Dick Nourse. “It’s a non-partisan name, and it’s a name people trust,” he said.
Spencer said people are looking past simple partisan politics and are focusing on issues such as energy dependence and the country’s economic struggles.
“So many people are frustrated and are looking for a level of trust and confidence,” Spencer said.
“We’re facing American problems and Utah problems.”
Speaking of Romney, Chaffetz said, “He’s probably the singular most popular figure in Utah. He reaches an audience above and beyond those people I normally communicate with.”
The Romney endorsement may enhance Chaffetz’s fundraising efforts, which could help insulate him from future challenges. Jowers compares the situation to Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who has built up such a large war chest that opponents are scared off — though political safety is not absolute. Chaffetz himself found a way to overcome Cannon’s massive fundraising advantage, for example.
“Gov. Romney is interested in supporting candidates who will promote policies that will strengthen our families, our economy and our military,” said spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom. “He sees in Jason Chaffetz a dynamic young leader.”
Romney is reportedly among the favorites to become vice-presidential running mate to Republican Sen. John McCain.
