A prominent Democrat and a well-known Republican agree on one thing, at least. Cache County Democratic Party Chairman Vince Wickwar and David James, a member of the Utah Republican Central Committee, both think the 2012 Governor’s race will be close.

Incumbent Republican Governor Gary Herbert is being challenged by Democratic candidate retired two-star Major General Peter Cooke. James says he thinks Herbert will win but he says it helps Cooke to have the military connection.

Wickwar says it’s not just the military, people are finding Cooke has a lot of qualifications.

“Cooke is trying very, very hard,” Wickwar says. “He’s getting out, raising funds. He’s seeing a lot of people.

Wickwar has been impressed by Cooke’s campaign and how they have organized themselves.

“They’ve looked at things carefully. I think they know what they’re doing.”

Many Utahns feel like the closest contest in this year’s election will be in District 4 where Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson faces Republican challenger Mia Love.

David James, former Cache County Republican Chairman, says he thinks the governor’s race could be just as close. James says he expects Republican Governor Gary Herbert will defeat Cooke. But he says it will be close.

“Because of the military rank and some of the visibility and the money that will be come in,” James says, “the Democrats will throw all of their money behind the governor’s race because they think that’s their best shot, the highest visibility one. So they’ll put all their money there.”

And James says he expects Democrats will stage a lot of activities in an effort to get candidate Cooke better known. Wickwar says he feels the other Democratic candidates also have a great deal to offer the voters.