Morgan Philpot announced Friday that he is resigning his position as vice chairman of the Utah Republican Party. The former legislator is expected to announce soon that he will challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson in Utah's 2nd Congressional District.

"Morgan Philpot has been an integral member of our team," said state GOP chairman Dave Hansen. "While I am personally sorry to see him step down," he continued, "I understand and support his reasons. He has all the qualities needed to be a strong candidate and an excellent congressman."

Philpot, who is general counsel for the Reagan Outdoor Advertising, has been holding a series of speaking engagements around the 2nd District, trying to drum up support from "everyday activists."

Philpot said last month he was "seriously thinking about" running for Congress based on the response he received and would make a decision in January. He could not immediately be reached on Friday.

Philpot would be the first Republican contender to get into the race. Matheson won re-election in 2008 by nearly 20 percentage points over Republican Bill Dew.

Philpot is a former two-term state House member and flirted briefly with a congressional challenge to then-Rep. Merrill Cook in 2000, the year Matheson first won the Republican-leaning seat.

Philpot left the House to attend the Ave Maria School of Law.

Philpot last year was elected by state Republican delegates to succeed Vice Chairman Todd Weiler. The party will choose a replacement at its state central committee meeting on Jan. 23.