Cannon Narrowly Avoids Defeat at Republican Convention

May 10, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News)  Utah Congressman Chris Cannon narrowly avoided an outright ouster at Saturday’s Republican Party convention and instead will face newcomer Jason Chaffetz in June’s primary election for the party’s 3rd district nomination.

Chaffetz claimed 59% of the vote in final round voting.  With one more percentage point, Chaffetz would have avoided a primary race.  However, there will be no primary vote in Utah’s 2nd district.  Newcomer Bill Dew took home 69% of the district’s delegate vote, ending the comeback attempt of former congressman Merrill Cook.  Dew will face four-term Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson.

In a not so surprising move, the Republican delegates awarded their gubernatorial nomination to incumbent Jon Huntsman.  Huntsman claimed 77% of the vote over challenger Charles Smith before reiterating that, if elected, it will be his final term.

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