Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon, both Utah Republicans, voted for a measure this week that would force 527 groups, named for the section of the tax code under which they are organized, to limit individuals from donating any more than $5,000 in an election cycle.

Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's only Democrat in Congress, voted against the measure, which passed 218-209 along mainly party lines.

Democrats have received the bulk of campaign support from 527 groups - outspending Republican-oriented groups 3-1 in the 2004 election cycle - and observers say the measure passed by the House could end up hurting Democratic campaigns.

Matheson, however, says it was not a “party vote.”

“I am concerned about reining in 527s but what I didn't like was the other material added to the bill that lets political parties work in coordination with candidates,” Matheson said Thursday. “I think that creates a big problem.”

Matheson specifically objected to a provision he believes relaxes a standard set by the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation that prohibits collaboration between political parties and independent groups. Matheson supported the House version of that 2002 act.

Without that added provision, Matheson said, he probably would have voted for the 527 bill.

However, the National Republican Congressional Campaign, which has targeted Matheson, says he is playing politics. Noting Matheson's previous vote for campaign reform, spokesman Jonathon Collegio said the Utah Democrat would leave a big loophole for millionaires to invest unlimited amounts in campaigns.

“It seems that Democrats like Jim Matheson like to get big money out of politics except when it hurts them and their base of donors,” Collegio said.

tburr@sltrib.com

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Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke contributed to this story.