Matheson reported $426,972 in his campaign account as of March 31, by far the most he has had at this stage in any of his campaigns and three times what he had at this point in 2005.

"I'm definitely in a better place than I've ever been," Matheson said Monday.

In fact, it's more money than 85 percent of House members have in their campaign accounts this early.

"Look, anybody who wants to get involved in a campaign, they know I'm always going to run a very well-funded, aggressive campaign," Matheson said.

He racked up $175,844 in the first three months of 2007, 50 percent more than he raised in the first quarter of 2005.

"He's an intimidating opponent," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah.

Jowers said Matheson enjoys two benefits he has not had in the past: First, he is now a member of the majority party; second, he had a decisive win in 2006, "so now he's a pretty safe bet for a contributor."

Jowers said Matheson is off the list of vulnerable House incumbents, and it's unlikely the national GOP will spend much time recruiting a candidate to run against him. "And if a top-tier competitor were to run against him they would know they wouldn't get any help from the national party and they'd have to overcome this incredible financial advantage he has."

Almost 90 percent of the money Matheson raised in the quarter came from out-of-state political action committees.

In Utah's 3rd District, Rep. Chris Cannon also raised considerably more than he has in the past. In the first three months, he raised $113,500, and has $82,609 in the bank, both figures more than twice as much as he reported in 2005.

However, Cannon still lists more than $100,000 in outstanding debt from his 2006 race against John Jacob for the Republican nomination.

Jacob's 2006 challenge was a wake-up call, and Cannon wants to avoid a repeat, Jowers said.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, reported raising just $1,500 in the quarter, but has $85,814 in the bank.