Tucker, a relative political unknown, announced his candidacy Monday, more than a year before Election Day 2006.
"Right now, I'm the Republican front-runner and I plan on keeping it that way," Tucker said in a news release.
While higher-profile Utahns - including Draper Republican state Rep. LaVar Christensen and KSL Radio talk show host Doug Wright - have been rumored as possible challengers for the three-term Democratic congressman, Tucker's name has not been mentioned. Neither Matheson's staff nor GOP leaders were familiar with Tucker.
"It doesn't really matter who our opponent is," said Matheson spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend. "What matters is Jim Matheson's desire to be the best congressman he can be. He intends to raise a lot of money and campaign aggressively and continue to be an independent voice for Utahns in Washington, D.C."
Tucker, a one-time Democrat, hopes to stop Matheson's bid for re-election. Following a theme repeated by other Matheson challengers in years past, Tucker says the conservative Democrat is caught between representing his constituents and pleasing his party's national leadership.
"Often politicians facing this situation try to keep a low profile," Tucker said. "I want someone who'll speak out for Utah, which is what I intend to do."
Tucker, 42, runs a technology training and consulting firm. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in Lehi with their three children.
Despite Republican strategy playbooks that call for limiting the number of conservative candidates to save money and effort for the campaign against the incumbent congressman, State Republican Party Chairman Joe Cannon predicts Tucker will be joined by other Matheson challengers.
Three years ago, nearly a dozen hopefuls fought for the Republican nomination before former state legislator John Swallow and businessman Tim Bridgewater emerged. Bridgewater and Swallow bloodied each other before Swallow eventually lost to Matheson. The scenario was replayed last year.
"Obviously, it would be really nice if somebody emerged as the candidate," Cannon said. "I kind of doubt that's going to happen. I'm skeptical we'll have a [Republican] convention that has no opponents. Anybody who says they want to run for Congress, I'll talk to them."
