Political Specialist Richard Piatt explains why.

In these final hours, Orton is capitalizing on news of a possible teacher walkout to draw voters' attention. U.E.A. members are worried about long-term solutions to education funding.

Today, Orton wondered out loud why teachers are asking for change, but still endorsing Governor Leavitt.

His pledge was on behalf of himself and all state Democrats: to make it a priority to make a long term plan, as it should have been long ago.

Bill Orton/D-Candidate For Governor: WE'VE GOT A SOLUTION FOR THE THREATENED WALK OUT. VOTE ORTON FOR GOVERNOR. VOTE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND WE'LL FIX THE PROBLEM.

Around the same time, Governor Leavitt helped promote his wife's campaign to encourage reading.

Leavitt also reiterated his own commitment to education, assuring teachers their needs will be addressed.

Governor Mike Leavitt: I THINK THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED, AND I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE WILL ALLOW MY LEADERSHIP TO CONTINUE.

Orton is counting on the race to be closer than what recent polls indicate it is. The latest KSL-Deseret News poll shows Leavitt leading Orton by 16 percentage points.

But the threat from the U.E.A., as well as indications of support for Orton from right wing conservatives, could potentially force the race closer than the polls say it is.