Former Utah Rep. Chris Cannon, a conservative Republican businessman and lawyer who served in Congress from 1997 to 2009, died Wednesday. He was 73.
Several close friends confirmed his death Thursday to The Salt Lake Tribune, though they did not state a cause.
A descendant of a family prominent for generations in Western politics, Cannon graduated with several degrees from Brigham Young University, pursued a successful business career and was an associate solicitor for the Interior Department before defeating Democrat Bill Orton to represent Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
He would be reelected five times and was one of 13 managers of the 1998 impeachment by the U.S. House of then-President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky affair.
In an alliterative Feb. 9, 1999, impeachment argument to the Senate urging Clinton’s conviction, Cannon implored Democrats and Republicans alike “to set aside partisanship, politics, polls and personalities, and exchange them for loftier inclinations, those of procedure, policy and precedent.”
”We, as Americans and legislators, have never supported a legal system which has one set of laws for the ruler and another for the ruled,” he continued. “... Because I love this country and its institutions, I pray for inspiration for each of you as you seek the proper legitimate outcome.”
The Senate acquitted Clinton.
Cannon was one the most conservative GOP House members in his day, reflecting the political leanings of his district. His voting record once earned him a lifetime score of 96 of 100 from the American Conservative Union.
Cannon and brother Joe, who is 74 and survives him, are also remembered for acquiring faltering Geneva Steel in Provo from U.S. Steel in the late 1980s and operating it until its closure in 2001.
Chris Cannon was born in Salt Lake City on Oct. 20, 1950. Cannon is survived by his wife, Claudia, and seven of eight children. His daughter Rachel died in 2005.
Praised as a visionary
His death brought an outpouring of sadness from friends and Utah’s top politicians as well as prayers offered on behalf of his survivors.
Gov. Spencer Cox posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling the former congressman “a dedicated public servant working on criminal justice, drug policy, regulatory reform and other issues during his time in the House.”
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson called him “a great leader and dedicated representative who served his community with passion and integrity.”
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