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The challenges are abundant for three little-known Utah Democrats who formally declared their candidacy for Congress on Friday.
They lack cash and name recognition. They are attempting to unseat Republican incumbents. And to have any chance of success, they must change the perception of Democrats in this overwhelmingly Republican state.
"It's important for people in Utah to know they have a choice," said Steve Olsen, of Plain City, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop in Utah's 1st Congressional District. "I'm running as a Democrat and I make no apologies for that."
Olsen, an engineer, filed for office at the lieutenant governor's office with Christian Burridge, a South Jordan attorney challenging U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon in the 3rd Congressional District, and Pete Ashdown, XMission owner, who will take on Sen. Orrin Hatch.
Surrounded by family members and campaign workers, the three Democrats individually explained their views - the rising cost of health care and the economic well-being of American families were obvious themes.
Ashdown has traveled the state speaking at Rotary Clubs, county fairs and neighborhood gatherings since announcing his campaign a year ago. He has handed over operation of XMission, one of Utah's largest Internet service providers, to some colleagues so he can devote himself to the campaign full time.
He said his top three issues are energy development, including solar power; health care costs, particularly for small businesses; and highway development.
But the general theme of his campaign is an "interactive" relationship with voters.
"People want to feel connected to their government," he said. Ashdown has a Web site, http://www.pashdown.org, where viewers can suggest changes to his campaign platform and respond to Ashdown's views.
Hatch, who is seeking a sixth term, also filed for his Senate seat Friday, saying: "I still have work to do."
He named energy development, Hill Air Force Base and homeland security as top issues.
Burridge said he's an average resident of the 3rd Congressional District. He is a young man with a new family forging his way in a corporate world.
He called himself "a new Democrat," with the same moral values as Republican Utahns, but with an emphasis on the working family.
Olsen has created a pamphlet aimed at the standard Utah Republican entitled "Why most Utahns are Democrats but just don't know it yet."
He is an LDS bishop who says the Democratic Party allows for more free-thinkers such as 2nd Congressional Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson. Olsen said the House "has a poor track record" because of catering to special interests over regular people.
"The economy and the wealth seems to float to the top," he said.
Bishop also filed Friday. Cannon is expected to file. Cannon faces a Republican challenger in businessman John Jacobs. State Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, and Kris Lounsbury, of St. George, will challenge Matheson, who is also expected to file.
mcanham@sltrib.com
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