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Show Oveson announces bid for congressional seat ' i ' BvCHERIE HUBER Clipper Correspondent Last week Lt. Gov. Val Oveson said his options were open when his term as lieutenant governor was up. It appears that is no longer the case. At a press conference Tuesday, he announced he would run for a seat in the House of Representatives from the 3rd Congressional District That position is now held by jYocrat Bill Orton, who won the Vrf after a bitter feud broke out between be-tween John Harmer of Bountiful and Karl Snow of Provo, who were Oboth contenders for the Republican slot on the ballot. In an interview at the Capitol on Wednesday, Oveson said he was drafted to run for the seat which is held by democrat Bill Orton because the republicans want to put their best foot forward. He said as a native of the Provo area, the national recognition he has received and because his duties as lieutenant governor have carried him to all parts of the state, it was felt that he would be the best candidate. can-didate. Several other people had considered con-sidered running, but they felt that they did not want to all file and then "beat themselves up,' he said. "They are willing to support the best shot." Oveson said that this was not a position he had been seeking on his own. "It is one of the hard races. It could be the most difficult race of the year," he said. "Certainly, the governor's and senate races will be difficult but there is no incumbent so there are no incumbent problems." prob-lems." Oveson said he has been criticized for accepting this challenge after deciding not to run for governor. "The decision not to run for governor was a personal decision. I didn't feel right about it at the time. I would have to be in a defensive position and I did not want to run a defensive campaign." He said his campaign for Congress Con-gress will still be very difficult for his family but the circumstances are different. While Oveson says he will have to come to some sort of decision on where the family will live, he does not have to move to Provo. There is no legal requirement for residency in the district. He also pointed out that the district changed after redistricting. Morgan is now in the district and even a big chunk of Salt Lake County. Oveson is looking forward to the challenges. "Federal issues will be a new challenge and a new ball game. I have very specific experiences experi-ences and skills to bring to the position." He will stress a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility. "If the federal government ran itself like the Utah government does, there would be no deficit," he said "Change won't happen overnight and it's a horrendous process, but the road we are on now is a disaster." For that reason, money and federal fed-eral spending will be his number one issue. Natural resources are also near and dear to his heart, he said. He will take a great deal of interest in National Parks, the Forest Service, the BLM and management of federal fed-eral lands. His position on other issues will be forthcoming, h said, Oveson will start campaigning almost immediately on evenings and weekends. However, he will be a full-time lieutenant governor. LT. GOV. VAL OVESON |