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Both candidates in the hotly contested 4th District race are using their last TV ads to paint the other as out of touch with everyday Utahns.

Republican Mia Love is attempting to tie Democrat Doug Owens to Barack Obama in a spot that begins with a clip of the president saying that he's not on the ballot, but the positions he supports are in the form of Democratic congressional candidates.

"Clearly, President Obama isn't supporting me, and I'm OK with that," Love says in the ad. "We can do better than the policies of Obama and his Democratic candidates."

Owens, a corporate defense attorney, has spent much of his campaign saying he'd be an independent in Washington and that Love, the former mayor of Saratoga Springs, is tied to a right-wing agenda.

His last ad continues to hammer on his theme that Love's positions are "extreme" — particularly on education, where she's previously said she wanted to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and federal student aid.

"You have a real choice in this election. The differences between Mia Love and me couldn't be any bigger, especially on critical issues like education and fighting for the middle class," Owens says in his 30-second spot. "I believe her extreme views will hurt Utah families. I'm a sixth-generation Utahn, and I share your values. I will be a strong and independent voice for you. That's how we do things in Utah."

Love also has a couple of ads that attempt to counter Owens' education jab, though they do not name her opponent. One includes Gov. Gary Herbert, whose approval ratings are in the 70 percentile, defending Love by saying: "No matter what her opponent tries to tell you, Mia Love wants Utah to remain in control of educating Utah students."

For much of the race, Love has been the clear front-runner and has largely ignored Owens' criticism. But in recent days, her campaign has acknowledged that the Democrat has made up some ground, leading to her more aggressive posture.

The Love team also has attempted to highlight the endorsement of Jon Huntsman Sr., the prominent Utah philanthropist. Huntsman, a longtime Republican, endorsed Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, in 2012, when Matheson edged out Love.

Huntsman and his wife, Karen, gave maximum individual contributions to her campaign — $2,600 — each. When asked why he endorsed Love, Huntsman would say only, "It was a personal choice."