But in the race for his seat in the Utah House of Representatives representing Murray and Midvale, Bennion is facing a strong challenge. And his opponent, Tim Cosgrove, has some powerful allies pushing him toward the finish line.

After all, Cosgrove ran this race - and lost by just 89 votes - two years ago, and he knows that Bennion is a three-term lawmaker with a knack for stirring up controversy.

"We've kind of reaped the benefits of that," Cosgrove said during a round of door-to-door campaigning.

"There are people that feel Chad [Bennion] was using an abuse of his power to do things he shouldn't be doing."

One particular bill, known as paycheck protection, stands out. The 2001 legislation put a stop to automatic deductions from teacher paychecks to the Utah Education Association political action committee.

Some union members believe Bennion sponsored the bill to gain favor with leaders in the House - not constituents.

"I don't think government should be in the role of collecting any special interest money," said Bennion in defense of the action.

Murray resident Debra Dahle isn't convinced of Bennion's sincerity.

"I want him out," she emphatically told Cosgrove after he knocked on her door.

"I gave him a chance, I believed in him and I feel like he let me down. I just think that he's out for personal gain."

Bennion, a former world-class marathoner and Salt Lake County administrative assistant, shrugs off the criticism with a laugh.

"The one thing I know in politics is that friends may come and go, but enemies will accumulate."

And Cosgrove, Bennion is quick to point out, has his fair share of detractors.

The soft-spoken Democrat works for Primary Children's Medical Center as an advocate for children. For the past seven years he has lobbied the Legislature for "children's rights."

"I develop public policy for kids and I want to take that to the next level," Cosgrove said in explanation of his run to represent House District 44.

"There are differences in the priorities between Chad [Bennion] and I. The issues I focus on impact people in their day-to-day lives."

But Cosgrove is a lobbyist for a powerful organization that some social conservatives believe is working against parental rights.

"I worry that he wouldn't set aside his leanings in favor of his institution," said Salt Lake City attorney Robert Alsop.

"Why would we turn out of office a guy who's doing a good job in order to get someone we don't know?"

But Alsop is admittedly biased. He was awarded $100,000 last year as part of an ongoing settlement with the state over a medical neglect case involving his son.

The battle was instigated by Primary Children's - the hospital that some parental rights advocates say initiated last year's battle over treatment for Parker Jensen, whose parents refused forced chemotherapy for him.

Alsop, who emphasizes his approval of some state encroachment into parental decisions, is a firm supporter of "any choice that allows parents a choice."

Many of Bennion's supporters fall into that category.

"I believe every child is different," said Elisa Clements Peterson with the Parents for Choice in Education PAC. "Every child has different needs. Every parent should have the choice to find what type of education fits their child's needs."

Bennion is a supporter of tuition tax credits and the Carson Smith bill vetoed after the past legislative session. The proposal would have given three-year scholarships to parents seeking an alternative education for children with special needs.

Opponents said the proposal amounted to a "voucher" system that would strip money from public schools.

While Cosgrove agrees with the premise behind such legislation, he says tuition tax credits and vouchers affect a small population, and efforts should be directed toward more "universal" issues.

"I believe in what most Utahns believe," Cosgrove said. "Our kids are our future. They have to have the education level so they can compete in today's economy."

But without adequate health care, that education suffers. And Cosgrove, a first-generation college graduate whose father was in the military, says he has a responsibility to fight for the right of all children to receive good health care and education.

"We need to choose our priorities more wisely," he said.

UEA President Pat Rusk agrees.

"We [at the UEA] would like to see real people with real concerns listening to their neighbors and constituents serving on Capitol Hill," she said.

"We supported [Cosgrove] in his campaign two years ago and we think he's the best person for kids' issues."

But not the best person for choice, argues Bennion.

"He thinks government is the solution for all the concerns that are out there and I believe that individuals are the best ones that are there to solve it."

nwarburton@sltrib.com

Utah House

District 44

* Bennion and Cosgrove will face off in the Nov. 2 election. For more information about their campaigns, visit www.votebennion.com or www.electtimcosgrove.org. Also running for the Murray/Midvale House seat are John Ozberkmen (L) and Bruce Bangerter (C).