"Chris Cannon has been a strong leader and loyal Republican in Congress," the president said in a brief statement. "He has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me as we fought to cut taxes, reduce spending, protect traditional values and secure the border."

But Jacob, who has made tough immigration reform the centerpiece of his campaign, said he expected the president to endorse Cannon. In fact, the Eagle Mountain businessman has lambasted Cannon as being a "rubber stamp" for the president's business-friendly immigration concept that would include a guest-worker program.

"Eighty percent of the people want our borders closed. On this particular issue, the president is on the wrong side, unfortunately," Jacob said.

Utah has some of the highest support ratings for Bush in the country. And Jacob said he supports the president completely on most other issues, including the war in Iraq.

"I'm not running against the president, I'm running against Chris Cannon," Jacob said.

- Glen Warchol