May 23, 2000
Utah Congressman Merrill Cook has a fight on his hands. Not just in November, but in the Republican primary.
That's according to an exclusive KSL TV-Deseret News poll.
Political Specialist Richard Piatt has more on the road to Decision 2000.
The poll confirms the popular belief that this race will be tight.
And it strongly suggests that however you slice it, Merrill Cook is in trouble.
At the State Republican Convention, Congressman Cook was confident.
Rep. Merrill Cook/R-Utah/May 6: "SMITH'S NO PROBLEM. HE'S GOT A LOT OF MONEY, BUT WE'VE SEEN HOW THAT'S NOT WORKING."
But challenger Derek Smith has more than just money, according to a KSL-Deseret News Dan Jones poll.
2nd Congressional District:
| Merrill Cook | 20% |
Derek Smith | 51% |
Won't Vote | 10% |
Don't Know/Refuse | 21% |
| +/-5.5% |
The survey of 314 2nd District Voters shows 51% would vote for Smith if the Republican primary were today.
Congressman Cook gathers 20% of the vote, with another 31% indicating they don't know or don't plan to vote.
Even if Cook does make it through the primary, our poll shows he'll have a tough time against Democrat Jim Matheson.
2nd Congressional District:
| Cook | 25% |
| Matheson | 40% |
| Others | 12% |
| Don't Know/Refuse | 24% |
| +/-5.5% |
The poll shows support for Matheson at 40%; Cook only 25%. Independant and Libertarian candidates Bruce Bangerter and Peter Pixton gathered another 12% with 24% undecided.
Derek Smith/(R) 2nd District Republican Candidate: "IN THIS RACE, HALFWAY JUST ISN'T ENOUGH."
Smith will need his resolve.
2nd Congressional District:
| Derek Smith | 29% |
| Jim Matheson | 37% |
| Others | 10% |
| Don't Know/Refuse | 25% |
| +/-5.5% |
The poll also shows him trailing Matheson. But his support is strong considering he's a newcomer.
Matheson isn't phased.
Jim Matheson/2nd District Democratic Candidate: "I'M NOT REALLY RUNNING AGAINST ANYBODY. I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I FEEL I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS DISTRICT."
In response, Cook says he can take the heat, calling the poll meaningless because the campaign hasn't started. He'll run on his record, he says.
More information will be available on this poll in Wednesday's Deseret News.
