Two native Utahns have joined the growing list of candidates in the 2nd Congressional District.
Tim Bridgewater and Jay T. Jorgensen will run against at least three others for the GOP nomination. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.
Bridgewater has a bachelor's degree in business finance from Brigham Young University and is the founder of an international consulting company called Interlink Management Corp., where he serves as president.
He has served Utah as a national delegate to the Republican Convention and been a member on the George W. Bush Campaign and National Finance committees.
"I've seen and admired politicians who really make a difference, not only in their state and community, but in the world," he said. "This is an arena where I believe I can make a difference."
Bridgewater is married to Laura, a molecular biology professor at BYU, and has four children ages 7 to 10.
Jorgensen, who has a bachelor's degree in political science and a law degree from BYU's J. Reuben Clark law school, said his campaign will center on three issues: the economy, education, and local control of public lands.
"It is critical in this election year that the voters choose congressional representatives who support the president and his agenda," Jorgensen said. "Once that happens, Congress can get rolling on the legislation that America needs."
Jorgensen has worked on the staff of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah, and also worked for the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, serving in 1999 as a law clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Jorgensen and his wife Melissa have two young daughters.
The two men join David Smith, a consultant for a local digital printing company, attorney and state Rep. John Swallow, R-Sandy, and retired Army pilot Gary R. Stephens in the race for the nomination. Salt Lake County Councilman Steve Harmsen is also testing the waters for a possible bid, and former Rep. Merrill Cook has said he may seek his seat again.
E-mail: lwhite@desnews.com