Petersen, who grew up in Mapleton and graduated from Brigham Young University, was approved to the board that oversees federal elections law within a month of his nomination by President Bush. The Republican will fill a final spot on the board, giving it a full quorum for the first time this year.

"I imagine on my very first day I'll probably be given a very long list of items . . . of an urgent nature," Petersen said, joking that he expects it to be something like trying to take "a drink from the fire hose."

Petersen, who currently serves as Republican chief counsel on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, is now set to begin his term with the FEC.

Sen. Bob Bennett, a Utahn who is the ranking Republican on the rules committee, commended his colleagues this week "for confirming Matt Petersen to fill the final slot on the commission, enabling the FEC to act as a fully functioning body during the election season."

Bennett added, "Matt Petersen is incredibly skilled in federal campaign finance laws, and I am confident he will serve as an outstanding commissioner."

Petersen was the last of five new commissioners nominated by President Bush in May, but was regarded as the key nomination in breaking the partisan deadlock that has rendered the panel useless for the past six months.

Petersen, whose term is set to expire on April 30, 2011, says one of his first goals is to make the commission's advice and rules as clear as possible for "all of those that are engaged in the political debate."

He said he believes that most candidates and political action committees intend to follow the law, but sometimes run afoul of it because they're unclear about what the law requires.

And despite working on a board of two Democrats and three Republicans, Petersen says he hopes he and his colleagues can lay aside party differences and work together.

"It undermines confidence in the commission if we don't, and I hope that the reputation of the commission can gain strength," Petersen says.

lhough@sltrib.com