Vice President Dick Cheney apparently is coming to Utah on July 28 to stump for Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate John Swallow.

But no one in the know will confirm the vice president's plans.

This week, political consultant LaVarr Webb reported in his online political briefing that Cheney is scheduled to fly in to "shore up" Swallow's campaign. And Alyson Heyrend, spokesperson for 2nd District Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson, said her office took a call from a conservative Matheson supporter who was unwittingly asked to buy a table at a Cheney-Swallow fund raiser.

With the media, however, Swallow's camp is mum. "I can neither confirm nor deny," said campaign manager Tim Garon.

Cheney's White House press office said the vice president's policy is not to "confirm or release" information about any appearances until 48 hours before the event.

And state GOP Chairman Joe Cannon ran as far from the question as possible. "I'm not going to confirm that," he said. "I got in trouble the last time I did that."

- Rebecca Walsh

Matheson makes pledge to children

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Scott Matheson Jr. released Friday what he called a "Pledge to Utah's Children."

The candidate, who faces Republican nominee Jon Huntsman Jr., said the nine-page plan makes education the top priority should he win the Nov. 2 election.

Matheson also calls for an increase in health insurance coverage for children in low-income families; support for families with young children, such as better child-care options; a reduction in child hunger by expanding the school breakfast program, and enhancement of child safety efforts by, among various proposals, keeping guns out of schools.

"For our children to succeed in school, we must address their health, safety and nutritional needs," Matheson said in a statement.

-The Salt Lake Tribune

Karras backs Huntsman

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Nolan Karras on Friday endorsed the man who beat him in last month's primary.

Karras' endorsement of Jon Huntsman Jr. came in Ogden.

'I'm honored and thrilled to have Nolan Karras' endorsement, particularly in an area that will be so critical to our campaign,' Huntsman said on Friday before the two planned a joint appearance.

Karras said he 'generally would've supported any Republican,' but had met with Huntsman and liked his platform.

'I certainly will be supportive of him making the economy grow and provide the revenues we need,' he said.

Huntsman defeated Karras with 66 percent of the vote in the June 22 primary.

- The Associated Press