A moderate Republican some Utah party insiders see as the GOP's best chance to defeat the three-term Matheson, Wright met with the White House political office, the National Republican Congressional Committee and its chairman, Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y.

Greg Hopkins, a Republican fundraiser who has discussed the race with Wright, told The Salt Lake Tribune that Wright is on a “fact-finding mission trying to see what kind of support he would have from the congressional committee, getting advice from the congressional delegation, [and] trying to get a better handle on what the job entails, which I think every candidate wants to do.”

Hopkins cautioned that Wright is not announcing his intentions.

Wright had substitutes - including Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson - fill in for his popular morning radio show Monday and Tuesday.

Carl Forti, communications director for the GOP congressional committee, declined to comment beyond saying, "We always look forward to taking on Mr. Matheson.”

Lehi businessman Joe Tucker has already announced he will seek the GOP nomination to challenge Matheson, who represents a mostly Republican district, and state Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-Draper, is also considering a bid.

Matheson spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said in response to Wright's visit that “a lot of people” go to Washington to decide whether to run for Congress. "It doesn't impact what the congressman does in any way.”

Matheson's attorney sent KSL Radio a letter recently questioning whether Wright can continue his talk show while openly considering a congressional bid, and if so, whether other candidates would get equal air time.

Russ Hill, KSL Radio news and program director, said the equal time provision required by the Federal Communications Commission doesn't kick in until Wright is a “legally qualified candidate,” but that if Wright announces his intentions, “he'll no longer be on KSL Radio hosting a talk show.”

tburr@sltrib.com

gehkre@sltrib.com