2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah explained

Election Name:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah
Country:	Utah
Flag Year:	2011
Type:	legislative
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah
Previous Year:	2010
Next Election:	2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah
Next Year:	2014
Seats For Election:	All 4 Utah seats to the United States House of Representatives
Election Date:	November 6, 2012
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Last Election1:	2
Seats1:	3
Seat Change1:	1
Popular Vote1:	647,873
Percentage1:	64.86%
Swing1:	3.82%
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election2:	1
Seats2:	1
Popular Vote2:	324,309
Percentage2:	32.47%
Swing2:	1.6%
Map Size:	240px

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and elected the four U.S. representatives from the state of Utah, an increase of one seat in reapportionment following the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial federal presidential election, a concurrent quadrennial statewide gubernatorial election, all other simultaneous quadrennial statewide executive official election, and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on June 26, 2012.^[1]

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in Utah, 2012^[2]
Party	Votes	Percentage	Seats Before	Seats After	+/–
	Republican	647,873	64.86%	2	3	+1
	Democratic	324,309	32.47%	1	1	-
	Constitution	14,481	1.45%	0	0	-
	Libertarian	6,439	0.64%	0	0	-
	Independent	5,795	0.58%	0	0	-
Totals		998,897	100.00%	3	4	+1

Redistricting

In Utah, the redistricting process was controlled by members of the Republican Party, who formed a majority on the State Legislature's redistricting committee. The plan passed October 2011 divides Salt Lake County among three districts, which Republicans argued would require Utah's U.S. Representatives focus on both urban and rural issues.^{[3] [4]} Jim Dabakis, the chair of the Utah Democratic Party, argued that the map constituted a gerrymander designed to benefit the Republican Party.^[5]

District 1

Republican incumbent Rob Bishop, who has represented Utah's 1st congressional district since 2003, ran for re-election, having decided against running for governor.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rob Bishop, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Leonard "Joe" Fabiano, business entrepreneur and candidate for senate in 2010
• Jacqueline Smith, homemaker and Tea Party activist

Withdrawn

• Michael Miller, Iraq War veteran^[6]

Results

Rob Bishop became the official Republican candidate April 21, 2012 at the State Republican Convention.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Donna McAleer, management consultant and West Point graduate

Eliminated in primary

• Ryan Combe, small business owner

Results

Constitution primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Sherry Phipps

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Rob Bishop (R)	Donna McAleer (D)	Sherry Phipps (C)	Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates^[7]	October 26–November 1, 2012	194 (RV)	±7.0%	align=center	70%	15%	2%	10%
Key Research/Brigham Young University^[8]	October 9–13, 2012	407 (LV)	±7.0%	align=center	62%	20%	–	18%

Results

District 2

Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson, who has represented Utah's 2nd congressional district since 2001, sought re-election in the new 4th district.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jay Seegmiller, former state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Dean Collinwood
• Mike Small^[9]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chris Stewart, author, former U.S. Air Force pilot, and president of an energy consulting firm;^[10]

Eliminated in primary

• Jason Buck, former American football player at Brigham Young University and in the National Football League^[11]
• Dave Clark, former speaker of the Utah House of Representatives;^[12]
• Cherilyn Eagar, business owner and candidate for Senate in 2010;^[13]
• Robert Fuehr, former telecommunications executive and Harvard University MBA alumnus^[14]
• Milton Hanks
• Edward Mayerhofer
• Jeramey McElhaney, small business owner
• Howard Wallack^[10]
• Chuck Williams, former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel;^[15]
• John Willoughby, airline pilot,^[6]

Withdrawn

• Morgan Philpot, former state representative and nominee for this seat in 2010^{[16] [17]}

Declined

• Dan Liljenquist, state senator^[18]

Results

Constitution primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jonathan D. Garrard

Independents

Independent candidate Charles Kimball also filed.

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jay Seegmiller (D)	Chris Stewart (R)	Other	Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates^[19]	October 26–November 1, 2012	229 (RV)	±6.5%	28%	align=center	44%	5%	22%
Mason-Dixon/Salt Lake Tribune^[20]	October 29–31, 2012	625 (LV)	±4.0%	28%	align=center	55%	5%	12%
Key Research/Brigham Young University	October 9–13, 2012	100 (LV)	±10.0%	20%	align=center	46%	–	34%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[21]		November 5, 2012
align=left	Rothenberg^[22]		November 2, 2012
align=left	Roll Call^[23]		November 4, 2012
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[24]		November 5, 2012
align=left	NY Times^[25]		November 4, 2012
RCP^[26]		November 4, 2012
align=left	The Hill^[27]		November 4, 2012

Results

District 3

Jason Chaffetz, was seeking a third term in representing Utah's 3rd congressional district;^[28]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jason Chaffetz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Brian Jenkins
• Lynn D. Wardle

Withdrawn

• Kurt Bradburn.^[29]
• Leonard "Joe" Fabiano, business entrepreneur and candidate for senate in 2010^[30]

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Soren Simonsen, Salt Lake City Council Chair^[31]

Eliminated in primary

• Richard Clark

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jason Chaffetz (R)	Soren Simonsen (D)	Other	Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates^[32]	October 26–November 1, 2012	232	±6.4%	align=center	68%	18%	3%	10%
Key Research/Brigham Young University^[33]	October 9–13, 2012	100 (LV)	±4.4%	align=center	68%	15%	—	17%

Results

District 4

Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Matheson, who has represented Utah's 2nd congressional district since 2001 and had considered running for governor^[34] or for the U.S. Senate,^[35] sought re-election to the House in Utah's new 4th congressional district after his previous seat was split up by the redistricting.^{[36] [37]}

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Matheson, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 2nd district

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mia Love, Mayor of Saratoga Springs

Eliminated in primary

• Jay Cobb, attorney
• Kenneth Gray
• Stephen Sandstrom, state representative
• Carl Wimmer, state representative^[36]

Declined

• Jason Buck, former American football player at Brigham Young University and National Football League^[11]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jay Cobb	Mia Love	Stephen Sandstrom	Carl Wimmer	Other	Undecided
Mason-Dixon^[38]	April 9–11, 2011	625 (LV)	± 4.0%	—	23%	14%	align=center	35%	28%	—
Dan Jones & Associates	December 19–21, 2011	341 (RV)	± 5.3%	3%	8%	align=center	15%	align=center	15%	19%	align=center	41%

Results

In the Republican convention, held on April 21, 2012, Love received 70.4% of the vote (she needed more than 60% to avoid a primary).^[39]

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Vein

Withdrawn

• Ken Larsen, medical researcher

Justice primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

• Torin Nelson

Campaign

Despite beginning her campaign at a significant name recognition disadvantage to Matheson, Love was able to mount a strong challenge. This was in part fueled by a prime time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention where she impressed many with her backstory of a being the daughter of Haitian immigrants whose parents "Immigrated to the U.S. with $10 in their pocket" and her themes of self-reliance, small government and fiscal responsibility.^[40] However she was later hit by claims that she was technically an Anchor Baby, despite having seemingly backing the deportation of the US-born children of illegal immigrants.^[41]

Facing a district largely new to him, Matheson ran ads showcasing his independent credentials and airing clips of Love voicing support for cutting the Department of Education and privatizing Social Security. Despite the NRCC running ads trying to tie him to Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, Matheson's favorability rating remained at around 60% throughout the campaign.^[42]

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jim Matheson (D)	Mia Love (R)	Jim Vein (L)	Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates^[43]	October 26–November 1, 2012	414 (RV)	±4.8%	43%	align=center	48%	3%	6%
Mason-Dixon/Salt Lake Tribune	October 29–31, 2012	625 (LV)	±4.0%	40%	align=center	52%	2%	6%
Key Research/Brigham Young University	October 9–13, 2012	407 (LV)	±7.0%	align=center	43%	align=center	43%	—	14%
Global Strategy (D)^[44]	October 9–10, 2012	407 (LV)	±4.9%	align=center	48%	41%	—	11%
Dan Jones & Associates^[45]	September 26–29, 2012	414 (RV)	±5.0%	43%	align=center	49%	—	8%
Public Opinion Strategies (R-Love/NRCC)^[46]	September 10–11, 2012	400 (LV)	±4.9%	36%	align=center	51%	—	13%
Global Strategy (D)^[47]	July 26–29, 2012	400 (LV)	±4.9%	align=center	51%	33%	—	16%
Dan Jones & Associates^[48]	June 15–21, 2012	379 (RV)	±5.1%	align=center	53%	38%	1%	8%
Mason-Dixon/Salt Lake Tribune^[49]	April 9–11, 2012	625 (LV)	±4.0%	align=center	45%	42%	—	13%
Dan Jones & Associates^[50]	December 19–21, 2011	341 (RV)	±5.3%	align=center	53%	36%	4%	12%

An early poll published by the Deseret News on Dec 25, 2011 showed Jim Matheson leading all potential opponents.^[51]

=With Cobb

=

=With Sandstrom

=

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jim Matheson (D)	Stephen Sandstrom (R)	Undecided
Mason-Dixon^[52]	April 9–11, 2012	625 (LV)	±4.0%	align=center	45%	42%	13%
Dan Jones & Associates^[53]	December 19 - 21, 2011	341 (RV)	±5.3%	align=center	50%	41%	10%

=With Wimmer

=

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jim Matheson (D)	Carl Wimmer (R)	Undecided
Mason-Dixon	April 9–11, 2012	625 (LV)	±4.0%	align=center	46%	45%	9%
Dan Jones & Associates	December 19 - 21, 2011	341 (RV)	±5.3%	align=center	52%	41%	7%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report		November 5, 2012
align=left	Rothenberg		November 2, 2012
align=left	Roll Call		November 4, 2012
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball		November 5, 2012
align=left	NY Times		November 4, 2012
RCP		November 4, 2012
align=left	The Hill		November 4, 2012

Results

Matheson narrowly defeated the Love in the general election by only 768 votes.^[54] If Love had won the seat, she would have become the first African-American Republican woman to sit in the House.^[55]

External links

• Elections Division at the Utah Secretary of State
• United States House of Representatives elections in Utah, 2012 at Ballotpedia
• Utah U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2012 Election Information. August 17, 2011. Utah Lieutenant Governor.
2. Web site: Utah Election Results . 2007-01-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070112144229/http://www.electionresults.utah.gov/xmlData/main.html . 2007-01-12 . dead .
3. Web site: Congress: SB3002, Final Congressional Boundaries Designation, by Sen. Okerlund. October 18, 2011. April 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120409222124/http://www.redistrictutah.com/maps/sb3002enrolled. April 9, 2012. dead.
4. Web site: Republicans approve new Utah congressional map. October 18, 2011. April 12, 2012.
5. Web site: Favored redistricting map splits Salt Lake County three ways. September 27, 2011. October 3, 2011. The Salt Lake Tribune. Lee. Davidson.
6. Web site: Redistricting squabble has GOP congressional hopefuls wondering where to line up. October 10, 2011. October 14, 2011. Deseret News. Dennis. Romboy.
7. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104221140/http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/dan-jones-associates-16512 Dan Jones & Associates
8. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175308/http://utahdatapoints.com/2012/10/key-research-poll-general-election-predictions/ Key Research/Brigham Young University
9. Web site: 2012 Utah State Democratic Convention Utah Democratic Party . 2012-04-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120424065340/http://utahdemocrats.org/2012-utah-state-democratic-convention/ . 2012-04-24 . dead .
10. Web site: Author Chris Stewart running for 2nd District seat. November 12, 2011. November 21, 2011. Deseret News. Lisa Riley. Roche.
11. Web site: Former NFL player Jason Buck is in contest . January 19, 2012. January 23, 2012. The Salt Lake Tribune. Robert. Gehrke.
12. Web site: Dave Clark launches bid for Congress at St. George economic summit. January 11, 2012. January 13, 2011. Deseret News. Dennis. Romboy.
13. Web site: Cherilyn Eagar announces congressional campaign. August 16, 2011. August 17, 2011. Deseret News. Jared. Page.
14. News: Executive Focus: Robert C. Fuehr, V.P. & CEO, US West Communications . The Deseret News.
15. Web site: Republican announces he will challenge Matheson. April 6, 2011. July 14, 2011. The Salt Lake Tribune. Lee. Davidson.
16. Web site: County lawmakers mulling futures after redistricting. October 22, 2011. October 26, 2011. Daily Herald. Billy. Hesterman.
17. Web site: Philpot will challenge Herbert for Utah governor. November 30, 2011. December 14, 2011. The Salt Lake Tribune. Robert. Gehrke.
18. Web site: Dan Liljenquist resigns en route to expected challenge of Orrin Hatch. December 15, 2011. December 19, 2011. The Salt Lake Tribune. Robert. Gehrke.
19. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104221145/http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/dan-jones-associates-16513 Dan Jones & Associates
20. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/55194598-90/matheson-love-district-poll.html.csp Mason-Dixon/Salt Lake Tribune
21. Web site: The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races . Cookpolitical.com . November 5, 2012 . November 6, 2012.
22. Web site: House Ratings . Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com . November 2, 2012 . November 4, 2012.
23. http://www.rollcall.com/politics/race-ratings-chart-2012-house-elections.html
24. http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2012-house/ Crystal Ball
25. http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/ratings/house House Race Ratings
26. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/house/2012_elections_house_map.html
27. Web site: House Ratings . The Hill . November 4, 2012. November 3, 2012 .
28. Web site: Rep. Jason Chaffetz running again, but not against Sen. Orrin Hatch. August 22, 2011. August 23, 2011. Deseret News. Jared. Page.
29. Web site: Wimmer declares his candidacy for Congress. July 11, 2011. July 31, 2011. The Salt Lake Tribune. Robert. Gehrke.
30. Web site: Utah Republican Party . August 19, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120623163000/http://utgop.org/inner.asp?z=5A595D . June 23, 2012 . dead .
31. News: Democrats to have primary election in 1st Congressional District. April 21, 2012 . . Marjorie. Cortez. September 17, 2011.
32. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104221156/http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/dan-jones-associates-16514 Dan Jones & Associates
33. https://utahdatapoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/UT-Key-Research-2012-Q4-Topline.pdf Key Research/Brigham Young University
34. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Matheson may run in different district. September 29, 2011. October 3, 2011. ABC 4.com. Chris. Vanocur.
35. Web site: Matheson Decides Against Utah Senate Bid. October 28, 2011. October 31, 2011. Roll Call. Joshua. Miller. Kyle. Trygstad.
36. Web site: Rep. Jim Matheson jumps to 4th Congressional District for re-election. December 15, 2011. December 15, 2011. Deseret News. Dennis. Romboy.
37. Web site: TERRY GILDEA . In Utah, GOP House Candidate Out To Make History . npr.org . 6 March 2023 . 3 May 2012.
38. https://web.archive.org/web/20150426210408/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53904666-90/beat-candidates-jim-matheson.html.csp Mason-Dixon
39. Web site: Love wins 4th District nomination, will face Matheson. April 21, 2012. April 24, 2012. The Salt Lake Tribune. Robert. Gehrke.
40. Web site: Rising GOP star Mia Love glides into the spotlight at convention . foxnews.com . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130513043220/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/28/republican-convention-to-feature-rising-star-mia-love/ . 13 May 2013 . 28 August 2012.
41. Web site: Stephanie Mencimer . GOP Rising Star Mia Love: "Anchor Baby"? (Updated) . motherjones.com . 6 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130619201237/http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/republican-rising-star-mia-love-anchor-baby . 19 June 2013 . 1 October 2012.
42. Web site: Kyle Trygstad . Matheson Brand Trumped Top of the Ticket in Utah . rollcall.com . 6 March 2023 . 15 November 2012.
43. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204165154/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765614673/Love-has-slim-edge-on-Matheson-in-volatile-4th-District.html Dan Jones & Associates
44. https://web.archive.org/web/20121114214054/http://www.thehousemajoritypac.com/press/2012/10/15/matheson-continues-to-lead-mia-love-in-house-majority-paccenter-forward-poll/ Global Strategy (D)
45. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865563581/Latest-poll-Mia-Love-pulls-ahead-of-Jim-Matheson-4th-District.html Dan Jones & Associates
46. https://web.archive.org/web/20130530230847/http://atr.rollcall.com/utah-mia-love-takes-lead-over-jim-matheson-in-gop-poll/ Public Opinion Strategies (R-Love/NRCC)
47. https://web.archive.org/web/20160322084801/http://files.hmp.gethifi.com/news/press-releases/jim-matheson-leads-mia-love-by-double-digits-in-house-majority-paccenter-forward-poll/UT-04-Poll-Memo.pdf Global Strategy (D)
48. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865558012/Rep-Paul-Ryan-courts-fellow-GOP-members-for-Mia-Love-Love-trails-Matheson-in-early-poll.html Dan Jones & Associates
49. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53904666-90/beat-candidates-jim-matheson.html.csp Mason-Dixon/Salt Lake Tribune
50. https://web.archive.org/web/20120109170420/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705396386/Rep-Jim-Matheson-leads-all-comers-in-Utahs-new-4th-Congressional-District-poll-shows.html?pg=1 Dan Jones & Associates
51. Web site: Rep. Jim Matheson leads all comers in Utah's new 4th Congressional District, poll shows. December 25, 2011. December 26, 2011. Deseret News. Dennis. Romboy.
52. https://web.archive.org/web/20120415123717/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53904666-90/beat-candidates-jim-matheson.html.csp Mason-Dixon
53. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907120231/http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/deseret-morning-news-13764 Dan Jones & Associates
54. Web site: Mia Love Election Results: Jim Matheson Bests Republican Challenger. 7 November 2012. The Huffington Post. 7 November 2012.
55. News: Mia Love: black, conservative, Mormon, GOP House candidate from Utah . Chris . Moody . OTUS News . ABC News . April 24, 2012 . May 23, 2012.