UT: Lee, Matheson Win Party Nods

In yesterday's Utah GOP Senate primary, attorney Mike Lee (R) edged businessman Tim Bridgewater (R) 51-49. Lee will now likely replace Sen. Bob Bennett (R) in the Senate.

Lee was backed in the primary by conservative heavyweights such as Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Freedom Works chairman Dick Armey, and RedState's Erick Erickson.

Bridgewater was endorsed by Bennett, who was ousted in the GOP nominating convention earlier this year by none other than Lee and Bridgewater.

Even though they agree on almost every issue and are both very conservative by national standards, Lee painted Bridgewater as a moderate and a quasi-incumbent after he was endorsed by Bennett. Bridgewater's main argument throughout the primary was: "Do you really want another lawyer in Congress?"

Lee now faces only token general election competition from restaurant owner Sam Granato (D).

And while last night spelled the end for one congressman, it highlighted the resilience of another.

In Utah's 2nd district Democratic primary, Rep. Jim Matheson (D) easily fended off a challenge from his left by liberal activist Claudia Wright (D), who surprised Matheson by garnering enough convention delegates to force a primary. But Matheson ultimately prevailed in the primary by a 35-point margin.

Wright tried to tap into liberal frustration over Matheson's "no" votes on health care and cap-and-trade legislation, but it turns out that the wider Utah Democratic electorate is much more moderate than the activist convention delegates.

And it probably didn't hurt that Matheson didn't take anything for granted by spending nearly $500,000 to Wright's $17,000.

National Democrats are sure to be relieved at this result, because the much more liberal Wright would have been a much easier target for Republicans in the general election. But now, Matheson is the frontrunner over the GOP nominee, state Rep. Morgan Philpot (R).