
The scion of a hyper-wealthy family and former two-term Republican governor from one of the reddest states in the union, Huntsman has made a surprising habit of sometimes bucking the establishment.
Huntsman did so again when he accepted the nomination as U.S. ambassador to China offered by Democratic President Obama. A former deputy assistant secretary of Commerce for East Asia and the Pacific and ex-U.S. ambassador to Singapore, Huntsman learned to speak Mandarin while on Mormon mission to Taiwan during college. He used his language skills to great effect while leading trade trips to China as governor.
- Career History: Utah governor (2005-2009); Chairman and CEO, Huntsman Family Holdings Co. (2003 to 2004); U.S. Trade Ambassador (2001-2003); President, Huntsman Cancer Foundation (1995 to 2001)
- Birthday: March 26, 1960
- Hometown: Palo Alto, Calif.
- Alma Mater: University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1987; Attended University of Utah
- Spouse: Kaye Huntsman
Huntsman is the son of Jon Huntsman Sr., billionaire industrialist, philanthropist and founder of Utah's largest company, the Huntsman Corporation. The eldest of nine children, Huntsman Jr. spent much of his childhood in California and Washington, D.C., where his father served as a special assistant to President Richard Nixon (R).
After moving to Utah and dropping out of high school to play guitar in a rock band, Huntsman eventually enrolled in classes at the University of Utah. Soon after matriculating, however, he left on a two-year Mormon mission to Taiwan, where he learned to speak fluent Mandarin. He entered the University of Pennsylvania following his return to the U.S., completing his B.A. in 1987.
In his first term as Utah governor, Huntsman developed a reputation for being low-key and friendly with legislators.
He brought to bear a variety of reforms popular among Utahns, including a "flatter" income tax rate, a school voucher program and the nullification of drivers' licenses held by undocumented immigrants in favor of "driving privilege" cards.
In 2006, he signed legislation banning the transport of mustard gas and certain forms of radioactive waste across the state. During a trade trip Huntsman took to China that year, a Chinese official remarked to the former diplomat: "You're not the first governor who has come to promote tourism, but you're definitely the first governor who came to China to promote your state in Mandarin Chinese."
Huntsman's closest associations are with his father, Jon Huntsman Sr., and his brother, Peter Huntsman, now the CEO of the Huntsman Corporation. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who defeated Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), in the 2010 elections, was his general counsel in the governor's office; and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) was his 2004 gubernatorial campaign manager.
He endorsed John McCain for president early on in his bid and was mentioned as a potential running mate.
- Almanac Of American Politics, 2008 edition
- "Jon Huntsman in 2012?" The Next Right, November 14, 2008
- Canham, Matt, "A Tale of Two Huntsmans," The Salt Lake Tribune, June 24, 2007
- "National Red Cross Volunteer to Carry Olympic Torch Through Salt Lake City," Charity Wire, February 7, 2002
- Vanocur, Christopher, "Obama's Campaign Manager Fears Jon Huntsman the Most in 2012," ABC News, May 5, 2009
- Bradley, Tahman, "Utah Governor Huntsman Brushes Off VP Questions," ABC News, July 14, 2008
- Winters, Rosemary, "Guv, at odds with most Utahns, backs civil unions for gays," The Salt Lake Tribune, February 9, 2009
- Huntsman, Jon, "When to Take a Federal Handout: I'm Taking the Money," Room For Debate via The New York Times, February 26, 2009
- National Governors Association Web site
- Canham, Matt, "A Tale of Two Huntsmans," The Salt Lake Tribune, June 24, 2007
- Wallsten, Peter and Kornblut, Ann, The Washington Post, Jon Huntsman leaving administration soon, Jan. 31, 2011
- "Abortion bill headed to Gov. Huntsman's desk," KSL NEWS, February 20, 2009
- "Utah snubs federal No Child Left Behind Act," Associated Press, May 2, 2005
- Dixie Business Alliance Web site
- Dinan, Stephan and Miller, S.A., "GOP Governor: Congressional leadership 'inconsequential,'" The Washington Times, February 24, 2009
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