According to the official reports, U. S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, Monday ripped GOP Senate hopefuls Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee for proposing the resumption of nuclear testing in the state.

The Salt Lake Tribune has reported that Matheson said on Monday, "We've been told so many times in Utah, 'Don't worry.' I worry. I'm getting involved in stopping nuclear weapons testing and whenever anyone even hints we need to start nuclear weapons testing, I'm going to scream from the highest mountain about it."

Matheson's comments came in response to statements from Bridgewater and Lee, two Republicans vying to replace outgoing Sen. Bob Bennett, who was prevented from running for re-election by the Republican Party of Utah this month. Last week the Senate hopefuls told the Tribune they support the "modernization and underground testing of the U. S. nuclear weapons arsenal."

It was also reported that neither Matheson's primary opponent, Claudia Wright, nor the Republican nominee for his House seat, Morgan Philpot, supports the resumption of nuclear tests.

Wright said, "I think the position (Lee and Bridgewater) are taking is almost retro to the Cold War era, much behind the times and very dangerous. Utah has paid a high enough price for weapons development and I can't even begin to tell you how much I oppose that idea in any form."

The report further noted that the winner of the primary contest between Lee and Bridgewater will go on to face Democratic nominee Sam Granato, who also opposes testing. (With Inputs from Agencies)