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For state Rep. Steve Urquhart, the battle has just begun. He needs a campaign manager, cash, volunteers and maybe a little luck too.
But what he lacks in an organized effort, he makes up for in confidence as he launches his bid to take the seat held by the well-financed Orrin Hatch, one of the most prominent senators in Washington, D.C.
"We will underspend him and outwork him," Urquhart said at a press conference Thursday, the day after he announced he will challenge Hatch for the Republican nomination
next year. "This is a steep hill that we have to climb. We need to overcome celebrity."
The St. George Republican, who has served in the state House since 2001, is pinning his campaign on what he perceives as Hatch's thin line of support among conservatives. Urquhart says Hatch ignores Utah residents who call his office for help.
Urquhart also said he would focus on education, immigration and what he calls the bloating of the federal government.
"Do we want it to do everything in mediocre fashion or do we want it to do
a few things in extraordinary fashion," he said.
As an example, Urquhart said he supports the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education. Instead, he would like to see the federal government funnel that money to the states, which "would use it much more effectively on actual schoolchildren."
More than anything, Urquhart believes Utahns are done with Hatch, who is now in his fifth six-year term.
"I think there is a huge appetite out there for change," said Urquhart, a lawyer for small corporations.
To tap into that appetite, Urquhart plans to tour the state in his sport utility vehicle for a series of living-room meetings with anyone interested in hearing him speak. Most of his energy will go toward the state convention, where he hopes delegates will help him defeat Hatch without having to face him in a direct vote by Utahns.
Urquhart's campaigning will be limited during the first few months of 2006 as he plans to continue serving as the House majority whip in the state Legislature. Urquhart
plans to give up the St. George seat afterward, choosing instead to file for the U.S. Senate.
Hatch's campaign manager, Dave Hansen, downplayed Urquhart as a threat, saying: "We expected this and it doesn't change the way we are going to campaign. I fully expect the senator is going to prevail."
The Democratic challenger, Pete Ashdown, believes a battle within the Republican party will benefit him.
"Maybe the national perspective that Hatch is unbeatable will change,"
Ashdown said.
mcanham@sltrib.com
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