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SALT LAKE CITY (KSL News Services) -- One local businessman feels he has a real chance of taking down Orrin Hatch in the next election, but Democrat Pete Ashdown is already in feeling the heat from a Utah Republican. An e-mail sent out to Utah Republicans urged members to stop their Internet service through Ashdown's company x-mission hoping to cut him off financially.

“I’m sure if I come within striking distance, I’m sure they will put out all stops to come against me,” Ashdown says.

Leaders of the Republican Party say they do not condone the actions of the man who sent out the e-mail. They say attacking a legitimate Utah business in the name of politics is not the way their party does business. Ashdown says so far he has received nothing but support since the e-mail was sent out.

The following is the e-mail sent to members of the GOP. ___________________________________________________________

Dear Fellow Republican:

This e-mail is in general and I'm blasting it out all over to reach as many Republican activists as possible. (I apologize for any duplication; you are probably on more than one list) I am not directing this to anyone in particular, so do not take it personal ("But, if the shoe fits . . . ").

Some Republicans have signed up with XMission for their Internet service. The owner of XMission is a Democrat that is partially using the money he has earned from his XMission business to run on the Democratic ticket against our incumbant Republican U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch. Even if you were to support a Republican challenger to Hatch (a totally different subject - see chart at end of story), it still is not a good idea to support a Republican challenger like this Democrat XMission owner by using his services.

So I'm asking anyone who may have XMission to please seriously consider and take action by dropping this service and sign up with another provider. Also, if you know of any Republican using XMission, please pass this request to them.

Thank you!

Respectfully, Rich Kuchinsky

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