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Show DAILY Sunday, September 19, 2004 HERALD A7 PROFILE: SCOTT MATHESON JR. happen to think if we do an excellent job in addressing education needs, then we'll do well in addressing other areas as well" I Scott Matheson Jr, Utah gubernatorial candidate Matheson tenant governor's office a genuine commitment to the issues." Another difference is that Matheson lists education as his top priority, while Huntsman puts economic development on top. "There.are issues education at all levels," Matheson said. "I think that's really the key Jo Utah's future." Matheson's plans to put education funding ahead of competing needs like transportation could help or hurt him. His platform says that a better public education system on all levels will produce better-traineworkers, attract economic development, and, in turn, generate higher tax revenues to pay for other needs. But state Sen. Howard said the state Stephenson, Legislature is concerned about transportation funding and worries about money being siphoned from transportation for other needs. "If we ignore the hemorrhage, we will have less economic activity in the state and therefore less funding for education and other purposes," Stephenson said. Matheson said if education is better funded, everything else will fol- Continued from A6 people's lives," he said. The issues facing the state call for strong leadership. I can bring that to this office." : ; ; . . - , Campaign overdrive Matheson's stylish campaign office sits on a small street in Sugar House. It's tucked in a trendy area of the suburb southeast of Salt Lake City, across the street from a used furni- s f ture shop. d The walls of his tidy office are covered with photos of his children college students Heather and Briggs his wife and his father. The office has a casual atmosphere filled with the noise of bustling , staffers working the phones. Supporters walk in off the street to pick up their yard signs, bumper stickers and campaign literature. "I like the confidence he places in other people," Hale said. "We have a great staff and great volunteers. He encourages great things from other v II. . people." His busy campaign staff coordi-nate- s with thousands of volunteers around the state, putting up campaign signs, making phone calls and distributing literature. Matheson's campaign corps includes his wife, whom he met during one of his father's campaigns. In 1976, Matheson was working as the campaign manager for his father. Robyn was a volunteer, doing polling and other volunteer projects. They married two years later after he had graduated from Ox- ford University. For some candidates, campaigning takes them away from family. For Matheson it has meant spending more time together. "It's a really wonderful experience," Matheson said. "My wife is with me all the time. I spend most of my day with my family." Robyn volunteers full time on Matheson's campaign, going door to door with him, walking in parades On Sept. and attending 9, she made the trek with him to Utah County for the county Democg ratic Party's annual spaghetti dinner, and she walked the parade route through Midway for Swiss Days the week before. The race has meant she isn't workcaming on her brother-in-law- 's paign, which she managed in 2000 and 2002. She calls herself a "campaign mom," supporting her husband, staff ers and volunteers. With 44 days to Nov. 2, Matheson's campaign is in overdrive. Days begin early in the morning and wind late into the night. "A typical day might involve hav- fund-raiser- i I 1 i -? . 1 III A ' f low. "I happen to think if we do an excellent job in addressing education needs, then we'll do well in addressing other areas as well," Matheson said. But he agrees that transportation is a critical issue for the state, a need that was punctuated for him Sept. 4 when he tried to drive from Provo to Salt Lake City after a Brigham Young University football game. That level of traffic will become routine every day at rush hour, according to county and state planners. "It's one of the biggest challenges nsS we need to face," Matheson said. utt, "It's going to take some real strong ' leadership at all levels of government." lllsisff-i- l Before transportation projects can happen, government leaders will have to work together to develop a financial plan. He hasn't released a plan for transportation, but he said it will be.one of the first things he adFRANK BOTTDaily Herald dresses if he is elected. Matheson learned from his politiat the Orem Friendship Center. cally moderate father the importance of public service and strong leaderand Jon Huntsman Jr. The major difship. He's seen the governorship up close and personal and knows that ference, he told a crowd of Utah County Democrats recently, is Karen for a Democrat to win a statewide Hale. race in Utah he must appeal to voters across the political spectrum. "I'm excited about Karen Hale be"I have to convince voters from all ing lieutenant governor," he said. Matheson said he chose Hale bepolitical backgrounds to have conf dence in my abilities to lead the cause of her experience in the state state," Matheson said. "I have to adLegislature, because she's a champion for education and an advocate for vance a vision for the state of Utah child health and safety. that provides a sensible, forward-lookin- g "She is very well respected on both plaa I have to convince votsides of the aisle," he said. "I think ers that I'm on the side of the people at the end of the day." she brings to the campaign and lieu Mi niter s. ' ' . Matheson greets James Dunez following a Democratic spaghetti dinner ing a morning presentation to a serlearnvice club, visiting a business ing what they do getting a briefing on an issue and walking a neigh- win is on the ground." On the ground, Matheson, his f amity and volunteers are going door to door around the state to court voters. They also hit the summer parade circuit, walking in local events all over the state, handing out more than 1,200 pounds of candy along the way. fund-rais- er fund-raisin- borhood," he said. His campaign advertisements started airing during the second week in September on TV, where they are competing with Huntsman's. Versus Huntsman "It's great to be on TV, but that's not how we're going to win," MatheOn the campaign trail, Matheson son said. "We're going to compete on says people are always asking him the air, but the place we're going to - about the differences between him i- pllllli llflllll '"Xy'- - jT X x V . Ln - . mm 7 " ' FRANK Utah County Democrats listen to gubernatorial hopeful Scott Matheson Jr. during q forum for Democratic candidates on Sept. BOTTDaily Herald & t .W-- . VA-,V- S.V 4. W44-i-i- 4 4A V MA 4 ) |