Politics News
Jon Huntsman, Jr.
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jon Huntsman Jr. claps as Singapore's Ambassador to the U.S., Chan Heng Chee, is recognized during a reception in the Rayburn House Office Building, Oct. 9, 2002. Huntsman started his public service career as an assistant in the Reagan administration and later served as the ambassador to Singapore under George H.W. Bush.
As the governor-elect, Huntsman. displayed his worn shoe leather, left, during a news conference, Nov. 3, 2004, in Salt Lake City. Huntsman passed out lapel pins of a worn shoe, right, as a symbol of his grass roots campaign whose hard work ethic he promised would be extended into his new administration.
Nine-year-old Hayley Alder writes the date on House Bill 1001 as Governor Huntsman watches during the signing at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, in Provo, Utah, May 2, 2005. Huntsman signed a measure defying the federal No Child Left Behind Act despite a warning from Education Secretary Margaret Spellings that it could cost $76 million in federal aid. Asked which department he would cut, he responded, the Department of Education. During his governorship, Huntsman also signed several bills limiting abortion.
From left, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Canadian Ambassador to the United States Frank McKenna, and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, perform with Canadian country music singer George Canyon, during a reception at the Canadian Embassy, Feb. 25, 2006 in Washington. Huntsman dropped out of high school to play keyboards in a rock band called 'Wizard.' In 2005 he played on stage with REO Speedwagon at the Utah state fair.
Gov. Huntsman signs a declaration opposing the storage of nuclear waste in the state during a news conference, April 28, 2006, in Salt Lake City. The event was held to urge people in Utah to oppose the disposal site for spent nuclear fuel proposed for development on the Goshute Indian reservation. Despite his position against storing nuclear waste in Utah, Huntsman has made statements in support of nuclear power.
Mexican President Vicente Fox, second from left, walks with Gov. Huntsman, while surrounded by security, to the legislative building at the State Capitol complex where Fox addressed the Utah legislature, May 24, 2006, in Salt Lake City. Huntsman's first foreign trip as governor was to Mexico in 2005. On immigration, Huntsman has been supportive of creating a path to citizenship for illegal aliens and against building a fence along the border with Mexico.
Gov. Huntsman holds his newly adopted daughter, Asha Bharati, as his wife Mary Kaye hold their other adopted daughter, Gracie Mei, at The Matruchhaya Orphanage in Nadiad, India, Dec. 19, 2006. Huntsman and his wife, who have five children of their own, adopted two more, one from China and one from India.
Gov. Huntsman and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sign a document to fight global warming, May 21, 2007, in Salt Lake City. The governors met at the mansion to sign the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative. The pact calls for a cap to greenhouse gas emissions and a trade program where emission credits could be sold.
Gov. Huntsman speaks during a news conference at the entrance to the Crandall Canyon Mine in Huntington, Utah, Aug. 17, 2007, as Richard Stickler, right, head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, listens. The desperate underground drive to reach six trapped miners was suspended indefinitely after a cave-in killed three rescuers inside the mountainside mine. Huntsman appointed his former political opponent Scott Matheson, Jr. to head a commission on mine safety for the state shortly after the incident. Huntsman's father, philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr., later donated $100,000 to help build a monument to honor the nine killed in the mine collapse.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain gives a press conference accompanied by Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, left, and former Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, at the Million Air FBO, March 27, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Huntsman and Romney are distant cousins and both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Bush greets Gov. Huntsman and his wife Mary Kaye, as he steps off Air Force One in Salt Lake City, Utah, for a private campaign fundraising event for Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, May 28, 2008. Huntman served in both Bush administrations, first as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and then Ambassador to Singapore under George H.W. Bush and then as a deputy trade representative under George W. Bush. Huntsman has also been an executive for his father's business.
Gov. Huntsman, right, and Democratic challenger Bob Springmeyer greet each other prior to their debate during a Rotary Club luncheon, Oct. 28, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Huntsman was easily re-elected, winning with over 77 percent of the vote. He maintained high approval ratings throughout his two terms and during his tenure, the Pew Center on the States named Utah the best managed state.
Gov. Huntsman kisses his wife, Mary Kaye, after signing his resignation document in the Gold Room at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City, Aug. 11, 2009. Huntsman resigned from his office following his nomination as ambassador to China by President Barack Obama. Huntsman became fluent in Mandarin Chinese during his two years as a missionary in Taiwan, where he later also lived.
Huntsman, the new U.S. ambassador to China, gives a news briefing at his residence in Beijing on Aug. 22, 2009. At right is his wife Mary Kaye, carrying their daughter Asha Bharati., at left, daughters Gracie Mei and Mary Anne. Huntsman announced that President Barack Obama would make his first visit to China later that year.
U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman briefs reporters outside the Supreme People's Court in Beijing on Feb. 18, 2011 where he called for the 'immediate' release of Chinese-born American geologist Xue Feng after a Chinese court rejected an appeal against his conviction and an eight-year sentence on a state secrets charge. During his service as ambassador, Huntsman repeatedly called for progress on human rights and in his final address he made sharp comments on China's record against dissent, commenting on the detentions of several high-profile activists including Feng, Ai Weiwei and Liu Xiaobo.
Jon Huntsman submitted his letter of resignation as U.S. envoy to China on Feb. 2, 2011, amid reports that he might seek the Republican nomination in 2012 and try to deprive his boss, President Barack Obama, of a second term. Here Huntsman takes his seat for the Global Chiefs of Mission Conference luncheon February 2, 2011 in the Ben Franklin Room of the State Department in Washington, D.C.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman looks at a Winchester rifle at Riley's Gun shop in Hookset, N.H., as he tests the waters for a possible 2012 presidential run, May 21, 2011. As governor, Huntman signed bills loosening gun regulation. His record also shows support for a legal status for same-sex unions, but not same-sex marriages.
Left to right, Liddy Huntsman, Mary Anne Huntsman and Abby Huntsman Livingston, daughters of presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, appear on CBS's "Face the Nation" in Washington with host Bob Schieffer. The girls took an active roll in their father's campaign, producing videos, tweeting snarky updates from the campaign trail and using social media as a way to get their message out.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich react after Huntsman said it was time to move to a new topic because he feared his daughter, seated in the audience, was nodding off during their debate at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., Dec. 12, 2011. Huntsman opted out of many of the televised debates and instead focused his campaign on the state of New Hampshire, where he participated in a two-man debate with competitor Gingrich.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman greets voters before speaking at a town hall meeting in Thornton, N.H., Dec. 31, 2011. Huntsman has held more than 140 public events in the state, hoping to gain traction by grass-roots politics. “Voters will reward those who have actually been on the ground, put in shoe leather,” he said. Huntsman skipped Iowa, instead choosing to spend all his energy in the Granite State.
Former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, left, stumps for Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman during a campaign stop at Globe Manufacturing Company on Jan. 04, 2012 in Pittsfield, N.H. Ridge, a former governor of Pennsylvania, endorsed Huntsman over fellow statesman Rick Santorum.
Jon Huntsman, announces he is ending his campaign, Jan. 16, 2012, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Though he was endorsed by South Carolina's largest daily newspaper, he decided to drop out of the race before the Palmetto state's primary after placing third in New Hampshire. Huntsman endorsed Mitt Romney and called on the remaining candidates to end the negative campaigning.