But on the issues where Republican Jon Huntsman Jr. and Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. disagreed Monday night - tuition tax credits, Amendment 3 and guns in schools - the differences were stark.

During the half-hour debate sponsored by The Salt Lake Tribune and KUTV, Matheson and Huntsman repeated stands they have outlined before: Matheson is against tuition tax credits; Huntsman leaves the door open for "special needs" students. Huntsman will not immediately press lawmakers to block concealed-weapon holders from taking their guns into schools and churches; Matheson will. Huntsman will vote for Utah's proposed marriage amendment; Matheson will not.

Still, in the particularly pointed exchange over the two-part amendment proposed to define traditional marriage in the Utah Constitution, Matheson probed to the center of one of the arguments for amending the constitution - so-called activist judges in other states who are broadening the definition of marriage without the public's input.

Matheson says Utah will be "embroiled in expensive and prolonged litigation" if the amendment passes.

Huntsman, on the other hand, used the threat of judicial activism to justify his vote for the amendment. "It's a timely issue," he said. "We've got activist judges in other states that might impose their will on Utah."

So, Matheson asked Huntsman to name one. "Who are they? Name one. I'd just like to know," Matheson said.

Huntsman was unable to come up with a name. "There might not be one I can name, but it's an issue in other states."

From Legacy Highway to prison overcrowding, the candidates' positions were more similar. Through it all, the Republican candidate's mantra is boosting Utah's economy; the Democratic candidate's is shoring up education.

Huntsman says economic development would be his first priority to protect the state's quality of life - including education. "We, as the state of industry, can do better," he said.

Matheson says funding education is a form of economic development. "I would fund education first," he said. "The governor should submit an education-first budget. That should be our top priority. That is our primary obligation. If we fund education, we'll do well in other areas."

From the debate

Q: Do you support tuition tax credits or vouchers?

Jon Huntsman: "Can you wave a magic wand and get vouchers overnight? I don't think so. But you can test the underlying economic assumptions. The Carson Smith Special Needs legislation is the right place to start."

Scott Matheson: "I don't think it fits the context of Utah education, where 97 percent of our children are in the public system. There was legislation this year, an 'across the street' tuition tax credit bill. Mr. Huntsman has indicated he would have signed that bill."

Q: Will you vote for Utah's proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage?

Huntsman: "I'm going to vote for Amendment 3. I agree with what Congressman [Jim] Matheson has said. I agree with what Governor Walker has said. It's important enough for our state and our people."

, like 11 other states who have it as an initiative process. Other states are leading the way on this . In fact some have already voted. Nebraska voted several years ago. Some have said, "Well, it migh hinder economic development." Last time i looked, Nebraska is doing OK.

Matheson: "I'm going to vote against the second sentence, which means I will vote against Amendment 3. I don't think it's well-crafted. It's ambiguous. . . . I've always told Jim he should have gone to law school. . . . The truth is we're going to be embroiled in expensive and prolonged litigation."