Matheson says he won't run again in '14

Utah's Rep. Jim Matheson says he won't run again in '14

By Thomas Burr

| The Salt Lake Tribune

|

First Published 16 minutes ago * Updated 13 minutes ago

Washington * Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's lone Democrat in Congress who has beat back Republican challengers for a dozen years, said Tuesday he won't seek re-election next year.

'I take the role of representative seriously and intend to conclude this chapter of my service to our state in the same way I have always approached my job,' Matheson said in a statement he first posted on Facebook. 'You can count on me to work hard, to solve problems, to achieve progress and to put Utah first. While at the end of 2014 my tenure in the House of Representatives will come to an end, my duty to our state and our country will undoubtedly continue.'

Matheson's news came as a shock as supporters and opponents alike expected he was already gearing up for another election year. His statement gave no indication he was done with politics, however, and he could seek another office in Utah at a later time.

'While at the end of 2014 my tenure in the House of Representatives will come to an end, my duty to our state and our country will undoubtedly continue,' Matheson said.

Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love, a Republican who lost to Matheson by some 700 votes in 2012, has already said she plans to run for the seat.

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