Jim Matheson said the event will be mostly "pageantry" because Barack Obama has already sewn up the Democratic nomination, so he intends to spend the week working on his re-election campaign and seeing his son start a new school year.

"I have a very full schedule already set up in Utah and it is also the first full week of school and with William going into the fourth grade, it is kind of an important week to be around," Matheson told The Salt Lake Tribune.

He didn't attend the 2000 convention in Los Angeles, which took place just a few months before he won his first congressional election. And Matheson also passed on the 2004 convention in Boston, saying he would rather focus on his competitive re-election campaign.

Republicans, and privately even some Democrats, have suggested that Matheson doesn't want to be linked to more liberal, activist elements of the party, which are sure to be on display at the convention.

But Matheson denies that.

"Everyone is very clear in terms of my party affiliation. My opponents made sure of that over the years," he said. "It is what it is. I'm a Democrat."

This go around, Matheson faces Republican Bill Dew, a home builder with little political experience. Matheson has a big money advantage and sky high approval ratings. Most Utah politicos don't expect the race to be as close as some of Matheson's previous contests.

That doesn't change Matheson's strategy.

"I'm very aggressive in interacting with as many voters as I can," he said. And he questions whether he should spend his campaign funds on a trip to Denver.

"The convention isn't free," he said.

Matheson's stance irritated Democratic delegates who live in his district.

"It is quite disappointing," said Josie Valdez, a Democrat running for lieutenant governor and one of Utah's 29 delegates to the national convention, which will take place Aug. 25-28.

"We have worked so hard to show solidarity for Obama," Valdez said. "It is disappointing that anyone would decide that they are not going to attend."

While national conventions in recent years have become staged events, she feels this year's gathering is different because of the historic nature of Obama's campaign, as the first African-American to lead a major party ticket.

"That is a milestone worthy of recognition and celebration," said state Sen. Ross Romero, who is looking forward to attending the convention to network with other prominent Democrats and promote the state.

He also said it is a chance to build enthusiasm for Democratic candidates, something he believes Matheson should participate in.

"I would be a little disappointed if he did not attend as our state's highest elected official," Romero said.

Not every delegate is an elected official or a candidate. Some, like Theodore Cowen Jr., are active volunteers.

Cowen, who also lives in Matheson's district, has never met his congressman and he looked at the convention as a chance to get to know party leaders.

"It is sad," Cowen said. "But I understand that he has to do what he's got to do."

If Matheson wants to be there when his son returns to school and would rather make campaign appearances than attend delegation meetings, that's fine by state party officials.

"It is certainly up to him and we fully respect those priorities," said state Democratic Party Executive Director Todd Taylor.

But the party can't fill his slot with an alternate. They could if he was a standard delegate, but as a member of Congress he is a Democratic superdelegate.

"He is not replaceable," Taylor said.

That means the party, in effect, has a delegation of 28, not 29.

mcanham@sltrib.com

Jim Matheson victory margins during convention years

Matheson

56%

Derek Smith

41%

2004

Matheson

55%

John Swallow

43%