Chaffetz Attributes Victory to Principles, Volunteers

None by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Up-and-coming Republican Jason Chaffetz has been the talk of political analysts today after beating incumbent Chris Cannon by 20 points in yesterday's primary for the 3rd Congressional District. Chaffetz attributes the blow-out to volunteers support that helped him win while spending only a fraction of what the incumbent did.

"It's a testament to the idea that we should be focused on issues and on principles. We combined that with a tenacious grass-roots organization that got out there and shared the word with others," said Chaffetz. "There was nothing special or magical. It was good old-fashioned shoe-leather type of work."

According to preliminary election results, the candidate's largest victory came in Salt Lake County. He won everywhere except Juab and Beaver counties.

Despite being told by Cannon during the primary season that he doesn't know how Washington works, Chaffetz says he does understand: it's simply not working at all.

"It's not working, and we've got to change the way we do business, and I think I got a mandate to do that," said the candidate. "I have a directive with a 20-point win, and hopefully great success in November, to go back to Washington, DC and be that voice into the wind saying, we're gonna represent Utah to Washington, not have Washington represented to Utah."

The candidate is heavily favored to win November's general election in the far-right-leaning 3rd District. We'll have a longer conversation with him tomorrow during Morning Edition and right here on our Web site.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Election Coverage, and Election 2008. Copyright 2009 KCPW