Rep. Wayne Owens, D-Utah, says he's "quite confident" either he or Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, will enter the U.S. Senate race - but not both.
A just-completed poll sponsored by Owens and the State Democratic Party shows Owens would be the immediate leader in a Senate contest, party chairman Peter Billings Jr. says. (See story on B1).Orton says he doesn't necessarily believe Owens' prediction, "but it wouldn't make sense for both of us to walk away from House seats to fight over one Senate nomination in a primary."
Both are acting like potential Senate candidates - conducting polls about their chances, raising money and keeping all political options open. Orton even met Wednesday night with Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee officials at the home of Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
"I'm quite confident one or the other will get in the race but not both," Owens told the Deseret News. "Obviously, Bill and I have to get together and talk things through, and have already begun."
And both are gaining ammunition for the continuing talks.
For example, Owens said preliminary results of his poll, also sponsored by the State Democratic Party, are "optimistic" about his chances.
Meanwhile, Orton said he also is planning a poll to measure support for possible runs for the Senate or House. And he explained some political strategy he said suggests he may have a better shot than Owens to win the Senate seat.
"If I win my district by the margin I did (last year), and win Wayne's district by the margin he did, I would win the Senate seat," he said. "The question is, can I or Wayne do better in the other's district - and who could also do well in the 1st District?
"Of course the key city in the 1st District (of Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah) is Ogden, and I was born and raised there."
Owens is generally seen as unpopular in rural areas outside his all-Salt Lake County district because of his push tocreate vast areas of wilderness in Bureau of Land Management areas. However, Owens' poll, while mixed, shows mostly urban areas agree with Owens' wilderness stands.
Owens and Orton said they have have no firm time by which they will make a decision on which office to seek. Orton said he and Owens should also likely talk to other potential Democratic candidates - such as businessman Doug Anderson - to see if they can agree who would have the best shot.
Owens said one of his main considerations is what the all-Republican Legislature does to his House district boundaries. "If the Legislature plays hardball, that makes the Senate decision easy."
House Speaker Craig Moody, R-Sandy, who is considering a Senate bid himself, said Owens isn't intimidating the Republicans. "He doesn't understand the (Republican) Legislature if that's what he's trying. That's like throwing gasoline on a fire. Many (Republicans) would like to see him out of the 2nd District race and into the Senate, where he could be finished once and for all."
Moody said that Democratic and Republican insiders he's talked to the last several days believe Owens will enter the Senate race.
Owens said that before he makes a final decision he also wants to ensure he has a realistic shot of winning. "I gave up the House to run for the Senate once before (unsuccessfully in 1974)."
Owens said finances are not a problem, and he has sufficient pledges to obtain the money needed.
Orton - who had to finance almost all of his House campaign last year - is a little more concerned about money. But, he said, "I am convinced whoever the Democratic nominee is will find enough resources to raise the money needed."
Orton said the main question is, "Where could I do the most good for the people of Utah: the House or the Senate?"