Jon Huntsman Jr. is expected to leave his post as U.S. ambassador to Russia by the end of this year and is considering a run for governor of Utah, The Atlantic reported Monday.
Sources close to Huntsman revealed his possible interest in running for the governorship, an office he held from 2004 to 2009. According to those familiar with the situation, a 2020 gubernatorial run is looking more likely than many realize.
“It’s not idle chatter,” Chuck Warren, Huntsman’s former campaign manager said. “He’s seriously considering it.”
Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce head Derek Miller said Huntsman is “making the rounds and talking to people about his prospects [in the race], doing his due diligence.”
When Huntsman was appointed October 2017, he reportedly told the Trump administration he would stay in his role as ambassador for two years.
Huntsman served as ambassador to Singapore under former President George H.W. Bush and ambassador to China under the Obama administration. His failed presidential run in 2012 put him on the map as a moderate conservative.
Huntsman’s tenure as the former governor of Utah makes him a familiar face for Utah voters.
“Huntsman is going to have higher name ID, a stronger record to run on, and, of course, the money to back him up. He wouldn’t have to raise a dime,” Miller told the magazine. “That’s hard to beat.”
Huntsman has yet to comment on his plans.
