It's not the hottest race, with multimillionaires and well-financed incumbents belting each other over the airwaves.
The 1st Congressional District contest does have some fire, though.Take Democrat candidate Ron Holt's constant stream of press releases and news conferences: Most focus on a Rep. Jim Hansen shortfalls or at least throw in some barb to belittle the six-term con-gress-man.
Holt has highlighted Hansen's worst-100 votes; his "falling asleep at the wheel" when it comes to protecting jobs at Thiokol Corp.; his "lack of concern" for Utah's agriculture industry for not signing the petition to get pari-mutuel gambling on the ballot and his "long weekends (that) are killing Utah." The latter charges that Hansen's absence at a House vote hurt Utah's chances at a land-trade bill that would have given state schools $200 million.
For the most part, Hansen, who enjoys a 35-point lead in the polls, took the statements in stride.
Until Tuesday.
"Every time I turn around, he's beating up on Jim Hansen," Hansen said in a telephone interview. "I'm tired of it and disappointed, frankly. And all this came from a guy who said he was going to run a straightforward, issue-oriented campaign. What does he stand for, can you tell me?"
Hansen said he was surprised the media were responding to some of Holt's statements.
But, Holt responded, "We are running an issue-oriented campaign. If you want to see a negative campaign, look over at the (Bennett-Owens) race or the 2nd District race."
Holt said his campaign made no personal attacks and won't. "We are holding him accountable for his voting record. And it seems to me that's what campaigns are all about."
Meanwhile, Independent Party candidate Dub Lawrence wants Hansen to explain why he's running for a seventh term. Lawrence criticizes Hansen for not debating more and suggests the congressman is "short-sighted" for wanting a Republican-controlled Congress.