Republican gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman Jr. is launching anti-nuclear waste and bomb-testing ads on cable television in southern Utah. The commercials, scheduled to begin running today, feature Huntsman in shirtsleeves standing in front of Snow Canyon declaring Utah as "the most beautiful state in America." "As governor, I will not allow the state to become a dumping ground for hotter levels of nuclear waste," the candidate declares. "And I will aggressively defend our right to say 'No' to nuclear testing in Utah or in surrounding states. I will fight the federal government or anyone else who would threaten our quality of life." Democratic candidate Scott Matheson Jr. also has made nuclear waste and testing an issue in the campaign - with no discernible difference between the candidates on the subject. "I've taken a very strong position in opposition to resumption of [nuclear] testing," said Matheson, adding he also opposes the transportation or storage of higher levels of radioactive waste in the state. "I've been consistent and strong in my position on those issues," said Matheson. Huntsman spokesman Jason Chaffetz said the Republican, a former U.S. ambassador and President Bush supporter, is "best suited to fight the federal government on this. Jon is not afraid of spending political capital on this issues, on ethics reform and a number of other issues - in contrast to the last 12 years." - Dan Harrie