Jim Matheson

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Jim Matheson

United States Representative from Utah's 2nd district
In office 2001 - present
Preceded by	Merrill Cook
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	March 21, 1960 Salt Lake City, Utah
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Amy Matheson
Religion	Mormon

James David "Jim" Matheson (born March 21, 1960) is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the second district of Utah since 2001 (map). Matheson, a Democrat, represents a district in which President George W. Bush won 67% of the vote in 2004.

1 Early life and career
2 Political positioning
3 Election results
4 Opposition to nuclear testing
5 Notes
6 External links

[edit] Early life and career

Matheson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and obtained his B.A. from Harvard University and his M.B.A from the University of California, Los Angeles.^[1] He is a rarity in Utah politics as he is an elected member of the United States Democratic Party. However, he is more conservative than the majority of Democrats.^[2] His father, Scott M. Matheson, served as Governor of Utah from 1977 to 1985,^[3] and his brother, Scott Matheson Jr., was the 2004 Democratic nominee for Governor.^[4] Matheson is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.^[5]

[edit] Political positioning

Matheson is co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition,^[6] a fiscally conservative group of about three dozen Democrats in the House. Among other significant votes, Matheson voted against raising the federal debt limit; as well as against both Republican and Democratic budgets that do not reduce the deficit. Matheson, a former energy industry businessman, voted against authorizing the construction of new oil refineries.

[edit] Election results

Year	Office	Election	Subject	Party	Votes	%	Opponent	Party	Votes	%
2000	U.S. House	General	Jim Matheson	Democratic	145,021	56%	Derek W. Smith	Republican	107,114	41%
2002	U.S. House	General	Jim Matheson	Democratic	110,764	49%	John Swallow	Republican	109,123	49%
2004	U.S. House	General	Jim Matheson	Democratic	187,250	55%	John Swallow	Republican	147,778	43%
2006	U.S. House	General	Jim Matheson	Democratic	133,231	59%	LaVar Christensen	Republican	84,234	37%

[edit] Opposition to nuclear testing

Matheson believes that all Utahns live with the consequences of the nuclear weapons testing. His own father died from multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer believed to have been caused by his exposure to radioactive fallout from explosions at the Nevada Test Site. He has introduced legislation that sets up roadblocks to future weapons testing, including staunch opposition to the proposed Divine Strake tests. In addition, he has actively opposed the transportation and storage of nuclear waste in Utah.