2004 Utah gubernatorial election

none related races 2004 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 2004 Utah gubernatorial election Utah presidential no 2000 Utah gubernatorial election 2000 2008 Utah gubernatorial election 2008 November 2, 2004 1922 File:Jon Huntsman.jpg 150x150px Jon Huntsman Jr. Republican Party (United States) Gary Herbert 531,190 57.74% File:Scott Matheson (cropped).jpg Scott Matheson Jr. Democratic Party (United States) Karen Hale 380,359 41.35% 2004 Utah gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 230px County resultsHuntsman: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Matheson: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Governor Olene Walker Republican Party (United States) Jon Huntsman, Jr. Republican Party (United States) The 2004 Utah gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2004. The incumbent governor was Republican Olene S. Walker, who had become governor following Mike Leavitt's resignation to join the George W. Bush administration. However, Walker placed fourth in the Republican primary, far behind Jon Huntsman Jr. Huntsman won the nomination and went on to win the general election, carrying 25 of the 29 counties and winning 57.7% of the overall vote. This was the last time that a Democratic nominee for any statewide office has received forty percent or more of the popular vote, and the most recent election in which a Democratic gubernatorial nominee carried the counties of Carbon and Salt Lake. Background In March 2003, Huntsman resigned his post in the Bush administration. In mid-August, three term incumbent Governor Mike Leavitt, whom Huntsman strongly supported, decided not to run for re-election to a fourth term, in order to become the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Bush administration.Bush picks Utah governor for EPA http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CTOR&p_multi=CTSB&p_theme=ctor&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11650B303A268920&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Larry SwisherLeavitt's move is a gamble http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100D37EC86582092&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Salt Lake Tribune, The Dan Harrie August 18, 2003http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=DSNB&d_place=DSNB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FA1DD71B9919240&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM NewsLibrary March 30, 2003 Shortly thereafter, Huntsman filed papers to run for Governor of Utah.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/510053399/Huntsman-Jr-files-campaign-papers.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120321171326/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/510053399/Huntsman-Jr-files-campaign-papers.html dead March 21, 2012 Huntsman Jr. files campaign papers Deseret News 2003-09-11 2011-10-04 In November 2003, Lieutenant Governor Olene S. Walker became Utah's first female governor as Leavitt was confirmed to become EPA Administrator.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/525035968/Walker-sworn-in-as-Utahs-first-female-governor.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065045/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/525035968/Walker-sworn-in-as-Utahs-first-female-governor.html dead March 4, 2016 Walker sworn in as Utah's first female governor Deseret News 2003-11-05 Democratic nomination Scott Matheson, Jr. entered the race on March 27, 2004.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595052120/Scott-Matheson-enters-race-for-governor.html https://archive.today/20130121121139/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595052120/Scott-Matheson-enters-race-for-governor.html dead January 21, 2013 Scott Matheson enters race for governor Deseret News 2004-03-28 He won the May Democratic nomination unopposed.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595062009/No-Demo-runoffs-protest-targets-Rep-Matheson.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002527/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595062009/No-Demo-runoffs-protest-targets-Rep-Matheson.html dead March 4, 2016 No Demo runoffs; protest targets Rep. Matheson Deseret News 2004-05-09 Republican primary Convention Candidates Gary Benson, businessman James Hansen, U.S. Congressman of Utah's 1st congressional district Parley Hellewell, State Senator Jon Huntsman, Jr., Trade Ambassador for President Bush's administration and former CEO of Huntsman Chemical Corporation Nolan Karras, State Representative Fred Lampropoulos, CEO of Merit Medical Systems Martin Stephens, State Representative Olene Walker, incumbent Governor Results, first round Republican Convention resultshttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=7060 Our Campaigns - UT Governor - R Convention Race - May 08, 2004 Jon Huntsman Jr. Republican Party (United States) 959 27.98 Nolan Karras Republican Party (United States) 607 17.71 Fred Lampropoulos Republican Party (United States) 584 17.04 Olene Walker (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 495 14.44 Marty Stephens Republican Party (United States) 380 11.09 James Hansen Republican Party (United States) 278 8.11 Parley Hellewell Republican Party (United States) 121 3.53 Gary Benson Republican Party (United States) 4 0.12 Results, final round, instant-runoff Republican Convention Results: Candidates Reduced to Two with Instant Runoffhttp://www.deseretnews.com/article/595062022/GOP-selects-Huntsman-Karras.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110625150115/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595062022/GOP-selects-Huntsman-Karras.html dead June 25, 2011 GOP selects Huntsman, Karras Deseret News 2004-05-09 May 8, 2004 Utah GOP convention Gubernatorial, US Congressional, and National Committeeman/Comitteewoman race results https://archive.fairvote.org/irv/utahresults.htm Jon Huntsman Jr. Republican Party (United States) 1,707 51.28 Nolan Karras Republican Party (United States) 1,622 48.72 Primary Candidates Jon Huntsman Jr., Trade Ambassador for President Bush's administration and former CEO of Huntsman Chemical Corporation Nolan Karras, State Representative Campaign Huntsman gained the endorsements from U.S. Senator Jake Garnhttp://www.deseretnews.com/article/590042998/Garn-endorsing-Jon-Huntsman-Jr.html https://web.archive.org/web/20180922182716/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/590042998/Garn-endorsing-Jon-Huntsman-Jr.html dead September 22, 2018 Garn endorsing Jon Huntsman Jr Deseret News 2004-02-13 and former U.S. President George H. W. Bush.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595070455/Bush-Sr-backs-Huntsman.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001058/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595070455/Bush-Sr-backs-Huntsman.html dead March 4, 2016 Bush Sr. Backs Huntsman Deseret News 2004-06-15 Polls showed he was the front-runner. Results Republican primary resultshttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=87523 Our Campaigns - UT Governor - R Primary Race - Jun 22, 2004 Jon Huntsman Jr. Republican Party (United States) 102,955 66.4 Nolan Karras Republican Party (United States) 52,048 33.6 155,003 100 General election Candidates Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R), Trade Ambassador for President Bush's administration and former CEO of Huntsman Chemical Corporation Scott Matheson, Jr. (D), U.S. Attorney Campaign Jon Huntsman Jr., a former advisor for U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush and son of industrialist Jon Huntsman, Sr.—the founder of Huntsman Chemical Corporation—filed papers to run for governor in September 2003.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/510053399/Huntsman-Jr-files-campaign-papers.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120321171326/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/510053399/Huntsman-Jr-files-campaign-papers.html dead March 21, 2012 Huntsman Jr. Files campaign papers Deseret News 2003-09-11 Jason Chaffetz was his campaign manager. In April 2004, Utah County Commissioner Gary Herbert decided to drop out of the Republican nomination and become Huntsman's running mate.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595057688/Huntsman-Herbert-join-forces.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042834/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595057688/Huntsman-Herbert-join-forces.html dead March 4, 2016 Huntsman, Herbert join forces Deseret News 2004-04-21 Herbert helped Huntsman with the rural community.http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10228A402028F592&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Herbert's rural ties bolster Huntsman ticket Harrie Dan April 21, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune, The Huntsman campaigned on eliminating the sales tax on foodhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100CE4391151C891&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Huntsman would end sales tax on groceries Harrie Dan January 27, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune, The and on ethics reform. He proposed that lawmakers have to disclose all their gifts, they have to report monthly their campaign contributions, and they can't work as lobbyists immediately after leaving state government.http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=DSNB&d_place=DSNB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10016370C29A30AE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM NewsBank January 14, 2004 Huntsman opposed President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. He said he would leave a label on the door of the governor's office "Economic Development Czar" if he's elected. U.S. Attorney, former Harvard University professor, and dean of the University of Utah law school Scott Matheson, Jr. won the Democratic nomination unopposed. He is the son of former Utah Governor Scott Matheson who was also the last Democrat to be elected governor of the red state of Utah. He made education the number one priority. He explained how better schools would attract new business. In one television ad, he called himself "Utah's Education Governor."http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595090716/Huntsman-and-Matheson-target-education.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042846/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595090716/Huntsman-and-Matheson-target-education.html dead March 4, 2016 Huntsman and Matheson target education Deseret News 2004-09-12 He criticized Huntsman for supporting school choice reform.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595099466/Rhetoric-growing-sharper-in-gubernatorial-campaign.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064455/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595099466/Rhetoric-growing-sharper-in-gubernatorial-campaign.html dead March 4, 2016 Rhetoric growing sharper in gubernatorial campaign Deseret News 2004-10-20 Predictions Source Ranking As of Sabato's Crystal BallThe Final Predictions https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2004110101/ Sabato's Crystal Ball May 2, 2021 Lean R November 1, 2004 Polling In a March Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll, Matheson was leading all the Republicans running for the nomination except for Huntsman and Walker. An early September Jones poll showed Huntsman leading 49%-39%.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595090764/Mathesons-on-the-march.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223951/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595090764/Mathesons-on-the-march.html dead March 3, 2016 Mathesons on the march Deseret News 2004-09-12 An October 6 Salt Lake Tribune poll showed Huntsman leading 49%-33%.http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1059AC9CBA082E83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Huntsman has a double-digit lead in new poll Harrie Dan October 6, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune, The An October 7 Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll showed Huntsman only leading 49%-40%.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595096372/Matheson-inches-closer.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030603/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595096372/Matheson-inches-closer.html dead March 4, 2016 Matheson inches closer Deseret News 2004-10-07 An October 29 Salt Lake Tribune poll showed Huntsman leading 50%-36%.http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1061EE7A90E8A5D9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Matheson needs a big finish Harrie Dan October 29, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune, The Fundraising Huntsman raised a little over $3.5 million. Nearly $950,000 of the money raised was from his own personal loans and from family donations. He also raised 100,000 from the Republican Governors Association. Matheson raised almost $2.0 million. About one-fourth of Matheson's funds came from political committees, including $325,000 from the Democratic Governors Association.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595101078/Matheson-mild-attack-ad-criticized.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043923/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/595101078/Matheson-mild-attack-ad-criticized.html dead March 4, 2016 Matheson 'mild attack ad' criticized Deseret News 2004-10-27 Results 2004 Utah gubernatorial electionhttp://elections.utah.gov/2004_canvass_governor.pdf Archived copy May 1, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080612003634/http://elections.utah.gov/2004_canvass_governor.pdf June 12, 2008 Republican Party (United States) Jon Huntsman Jr. 531,190 57.74% +1.97% Democratic Party (United States) Scott Matheson Jr. 380,359 41.35% -0.92% Personal Choice Party Ken Larsen 8,399 0.91% Write-ins 12 0.00% 150,831 16.40% +2.89% 919,960 Republican Party (United States) Results by county County2004 General Election Canvass https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2004Gen.pdf 1 January 2026 Jon HuntsmanRepublican Scott MathesonDemcoratic Ken LarsenPersonal Choice Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # %Beaver1,54160.46%99138.88%170.67%55021.58%2,549Box Elder12,63169.04%5,49730.05%1660.91%7,13439.00%18,294Cache25,30764.48%13,66034.81%2780.71%11,64729.68%39,245Carbon3,23238.43%5,11160.77%680.81%-1,879-22.34%8,411Daggett28759.67%19440.33%00.00%9319.33%481Davis68,54563.44%38,72635.84%7820.72%29,81927.60%108,053Duchesne3,93971.29%1,55028.05%360.65%2,38943.24%5,525Emery2,75459.12%1,84839.67%561.20%90619.45%4,658Garfield1,56272.99%55826.07%200.93%1,00446.92%2,140Grand1,81143.92%2,23954.31%731.77%-428-10.38%4,123Iron10,67369.59%4,52629.51%1370.89%6,14740.08%15,336Juab1,99558.80%1,36340.17%351.03%63218.63%3,393Kane2,16871.74%82327.23%311.03%1,34544.51%3,022Millard3,15064.89%1,65434.07%501.03%1,49630.82%4,854Morgan2,53566.15%1,27233.19%250.65%1,26332.96%3,832Piute51768.39%23731.35%20.26%28037.04%756Rich70668.88%31730.93%20.20%38937.95%1,025Salt Lake168,81846.81%188,00252.12%3,8511.07%-19,184-5.32%360,681Includes 10 write-in votesSan Juan2,55552.45%2,24446.07%721.48%3116.38%4,871Sanpete5,44165.32%2,79933.60%901.08%2,64231.72%8,330Sevier5,05966.64%2,47032.54%620.82%2,58934.11%7,591Summit6,15140.75%8,82258.44%1230.81%-2,671-17.69%15,096Tooele9,18155.71%7,10643.12%1921.17%2,07512.59%16,479Uintah7,34574.63%2,39924.38%981.00%4,94650.25%9,842Utah107,42972.90%38,92126.41%1,0030.68%68,50846.49%147,355Includes 2 write-in votesWasatch4,35358.52%3,03240.76%530.71%1,32117.76%7,438Washington31,29572.25%11,68326.97%3350.77%19,61245.28%43,313Wayne88065.77%45834.23%00.00%42231.54%1,338Weber39,33054.68%31,85744.29%7421.03%7,47310.39%71,929Total531,19057.74%380,35941.35%8,3990.91%150,83116.40%919,960 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican San Juan (largest municipality: Blanding) References Notes See also Election Results – Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office Gubernatorial 2004 Utah