About Jim

In January 2005, Jim Matheson was sworn in for a third term representing Utah's Second Congressional District, which comprises the eastern half of Salt Lake County, the northern tip of Utah County, as well as 14 eastern and southern Utah counties. It also includes the most populous southern Utah city-- St. George.

A member of the House Transportation Committee, Matheson sits on the subcommittees that oversee highways and transit and aviation. He is also a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which covers banking, real estate, insurance, housing and the securities market. Matheson also serves on the House Science Committee, which covers federal funding of research and development and NASA.

During his time in Washington, Matheson has championed bipartisanship, looking to "reach across the aisle" for common sense solutions to issues. The Deseret News said, "Matheson isn't the first member from the 2nd District to be more independent than their parties may like." The Salt Lake Tribune said, "He is a voice for constituents, not simply a party mouthpiece, and has the proven ability to be a player in the national arena."

Matheson serves as co-chair of the Blue Dog Budget Task Force. The Blue Dogs are a group of fiscally conservative House Democrats.

Congressman Matheson, is a sixth-generation Utahn who was born and reared in Salt Lake City. Jim, his sister and his two brothers all attended Salt Lake City public schools.

Before his election to Congress in November 2000, Jim worked in the energy industry for 13 years for several local companies and in his own firm. His wife, Amy, is a pediatrician and they have two sons, William and Harris.