Huntsman announces candidacy in Logan
Industrialist Jon Huntsman Jr. announced his candidacy for governor March 5, saying the economy is the singular issue of this year’s gubernatorial race in Utah.
Huntsman made official his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor of Utah in a kickoff tour that began at a Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Murray and ended at Utah State University’s alumni center named for his grandfather, David B. Haight.
The announcement in Logan was made to a crowd of about 100 supporters who Huntsman encouraged to get involved in what his campaign is calling “A New Day for Utah.”
Huntsman joins a field of candidates for the Republican nomination that includes current Gov. Olene Walker. Walker announced her candidacy March 7. Other candidates are Speaker of the House Marty Stephens; Fred Lampropoulos, a businessman; Sen. Parley Hellewell; Nolan Karras, former head of the Board of Regents; and Utah County Commissioner Gary Herbert.
Huntsman said it’s going to take a strong candidate this year to defeat Democrat Scott Matheson Jr., the dean of the law school at the University of Utah.
“We have a real opponent this year,” he said.
“Rebuilding our economic engines is going to take real leadership,” Huntsman said. “It’s going to take vision. It’s going to take the right relevant experience in order to get us there. I’m talking about someone who has stood at the very crossroads of business and government at the highest levels, and someone who can open any door in this great state of ours and throughout the world.”
Huntsman has served as a White House staff assistant to President Ronald Reagan, as deputy assistant secretary of commerce and U.S. ambassador to Singapore under the first President Bush and U.S. trade ambassador under the current President Bush.
His experience running Huntsman Family Holdings Company uniquely qualifies him to help Utah’s economy, Huntsman said, pointing out that the company’s annual budget is $2 billion larger than the state’s budget.
Huntsman said he began preparing for his run eight months ago by taking his family to public parks in Utah to talk with citizens about their needs. His discussions with them, he said, reinforced his belief that Utahns are worried about jobs.
“I’m here to tell you that people do care about the economy,” he said. “I am running for governor because in my own life I have seen the power of the free enterprise system and believe it to be the greatest force for good on the face of this earth.”
In the coming weeks, Huntsman said, he will unveil a seven-step program he developed with his economic strategy team to revitalize Utah’s economy.
Tax reforms, regulation, capital
accumulation, and travel and tourism will be some of the points of his plan, he said.
“We’re going to define the scope of the problem and tell you what the solution is,” Huntsman promised.
The economy will be the focus of his campaign, he said, because the economy has to be improved to pay for other needed programs like education.
“We have no moral obligation more important than to provide a world-class education for our young people,” Huntsman said. “It’s got to be an expanding economic base, economic vitality and jobs that get us there. Our dreams and goals for education are only going to be possible if we have an economic base to support it.”
A rapidly growing population will make economic gains even more crucial to funding education, he said.
Huntsman criticized the No Child Left Behind Act, saying it provides only a “Band-Aid” and more red tape for teachers who are already working hard to inspire and lift children.
On another issue gathering national attention, Huntsman said he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman but does not support a constitutional amendment to define marriage that way.
Huntsman was accompanied to Logan by his wife, Mary Kaye, some of his six children and other members of his family.
-royburton@cc.usu.edu