Green Party candidate Bob Brister is running for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Brister is a five-year resident of Salt Lake City, most recently serving as outreach coordinator for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

What is your view of incumbent Democrat Congressman Matheson?

I disagree with his votes for the war in Iraq, for the anti-labor Central America Free Trade Agreement, for the anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment (twice) and to gut the Endangered Species Act. Further, he is working with Sen. Bob Bennett to pass the Washington County Growth and “Conservation” Act to sell off 40 square miles of our public lands around St. George to promote the interests of developers and land speculators.

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson recently endorsed your candidacy. Do you think he sincerely supports you or is just trying to undermine Matheson?

I was surprised by Rocky’s endorsement, but it makes sense from his point of view. Like many liberal Democrats, Rocky is disappointed in Matheson and wants to show fellow Democratic politicians that they should not betray their base like Matheson has. I can’t read Rocky’s mind as to questions of sincerity, but I believe he is committed to issues and that my positions are more congruent with Rocky’s than Matheson’s.

Why does Republican LaVar Christensen lack momentum in the race?

There is little difference between him and Matheson. It appears that Republicans are happy with Matheson and his pro-war/anti-environmental/anti-labor/anti-gay record.

You want the United States out of Iraq now. How do you see this taking place?

About face, march. The military figured out how to go into Iraq. I’m sure they can find their way out. … Iraq is in a civil war. It is wrong to leave U.S. troops in the middle of the Iraq civil war.