One reason Rep. Jim Matheson keeps getting re-elected as Utah's lone Democrat in Congress is the poor quality of the Republicans running against him. Outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists may get upset with Matheson's support of issues such as opening the state to oil shale development or privatizing public lands, but they continue to vote for him because the alternatives are so much worse.

This year, the Republicans are running a relatively unknown named Bill Dew against Matheson. Listening to one of Dew's first
radio advertisements was enough to confirm that as bad as Matheson is on some of these issues, Dew would be far worse. The radio ad shows Dew is still fighting over the designation of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and wants it rescinded so its coal reserves can be developed. That's just great. We're going to ruin one of the most beautiful places on earth and one that contributes millions of dollars in tourist money to Utah's economy to strip mine coal to contribute to global warming. Even most of the locals have got beyond the designation and have accepted the monument. Is this the best the Republicans have got?
— Tom