Who is Jon Huntsman?
Though having already established himself in the political scene for many years, most notably as the Governor of Utah from 2005 - 2009, Jon Huntsman burst onto the news scene as a bit of a surprise in the summer of 2011 when he announced his intention to pursue the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. He formally entered the race on June 21, 2011.
Early Life: Almost a Rockstar
Jon Huntsman, Jr. was born on March 26, 1960 in Palo Alto, CA to Jon and Karen Huntsman and raised in a devout Mormon family. His father, Jon Sr., is a successful American billionaire businessman and founder of the Huntsman Corporation, one of the world’s largest chemical companies. Huntsman reached the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of fifteen and dropped out of high school during his senior year to play the keyboard in the band, “Wizard.” However, he soon re-prioritized his studies and was able to enroll in classes at the University of Utah shortly after.
Before finishing his degree program at the University of Utah, Huntsman left to serve as a Mormon missionary for two years in Taiwan, eventually becoming fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien. Upon finishing his mission abroad, he returned to the University of Utah and became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, but still did not graduate.
During the course of the next few years, Huntsman worked in Washington, D.C. first as an intern for Senator Orrin Hatch and then as a staff assistant to President Reagan. It was here in Washington that Huntsman met his future wife, Mary Kaye. They eventually had seven children together, two of whom are daughters adopted from China and India, respectively. Huntsman eventually finished his studies after transferring to the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Politics.
The Growth of a Political Career: Intervention
Between 1989 and 1991, Huntsman steadily raised his political profile under the presidency of George H.W. Bush, first being named Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Trade Development Bureau of the Commerce Department and then Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for East Asia and the Pacific. In 1992, he was named the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, becoming the youngest head of a U.S. diplomatic mission in over one hundred years at the age of 32.
After finishing his overseas post, Huntsman left the political world for a few years and joined his father’s chemical company as an executive. However, he was eventually drawn back into politics. In 2001, he served as deputy United States trade representative under President George W. Bush. Huntsman, apparently at the urging of his family, decided to pursue the governorship of Utah. According to his official website, Huntsman’s “wife and kids staged an ‘intervention’ for Jon, who [was] traveling more than 40 weeks a year. They said, ‘We want our father back. It’s time for you to come home. We think you should run for governor of Utah.’ Huntsman became the governor of Utah in 2004 and won re-election in 2008.
Political Views: Perhaps Too Moderate For the Republican Ticket
Huntsman is a Republican, most clearly indicated by his views on fiscal policy. As Governor, Huntsman signed into law the largest tax cut in Utah’s history, passing more than $400 million in tax cuts, including a flat tax on income, and substantially reduced the sales tax on food. During his tenure in Utah, he listed among his top priorities economic development, health-care reform, education, and energy security.
Despite this, a broader examination of his political history indicates that Huntsman is inarguably more moderate in some regards than his more staunchly conservative fellow Republican nominee hopefuls. For example, though against same-sex marriage, he supported civil unions. As stated in a 2009 profile on AllGov:
Huntsman’s “biggest political controversy came early in 2009 when he publicly backed civil unions for gay couples, even though he had backed a state constitutional amendment passed in 2004 that prohibited same-sex marriage. The decision angered conservatives in his state and his party. In response to his action, GOP officials in Michigan canceled a county fundraiser where Huntsman was to speak. Huntsman reportedly first met with members of President Obama’s team late in 2008 about a possible appointment in the administration. He nevertheless went ahead with his preliminary plans to feel out GOP leaders about running for president in 2012.”
Huntsman further exemplified a moderate conservative leaning when he loosened liquor laws in Utah to promote tourism and signed the Western Climate Initiative. In doing this, Utah joined with other governments in agreeing to work towards a reduced production of greenhouse gases.
In 2009, Huntsman was appointed Ambassador to China by President Obama. Considering his past ambassadorships and the fact that he adopted a daughter form China, it is not surprising that Huntsman is outspoken on his views on foreign policy, particularly in regards to Asia. The Taipei Times quotes Huntsman in a 2009 article:
“‘We need to continue working closely with China to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program,’ Huntsman said, just hours after Pyongyang declared de-nuclearization talks dead. However, Huntsman named Taiwan, human rights and Tibet among the ‘areas where we have differences with China’ and vowed ‘robust engagement’ on human rights if confirmed. The governor, who lived in Taiwan as a Mormon missionary, said he felt ‘personally invested in the peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences, in a way that respects the wishes of the people on both Taiwan and the mainland.’”
Huntsman is a strong suporter of Israel.
‘Surprise’ Announcement
On January 31, 2011 Huntsman formally resigned from his position as U.S. Ambassador to China. This indicated to many that a presidential bid for 2012 was likely. Because Huntsman’s name had been mentioned among Republican circles as a possible 2012 candidate, it was no surprise necessarily that he would pursue the nomination.
What was perhaps buzz worthy to most was Huntsman’s choice to join an already rather large, outspoken and considerably more extreme conservative group of Republican hopefuls relatively late in the game. Also worth noting is that, due to their both being on the moderate end of the conservative spectrum and also both being Mormon, Huntsman will inevitably draw constant comparison to fellow Republican nominee hopeful Mitt Romney. Interesting to note, though Huntsman worked in his office as an intern early in his career, Senator Orrin Hatch has given his support to Romney.
Also adding clear complication for Huntsman is his work as an ambassador under current Democratic President Barack Obama, as well as a letter he wrote to the President in August 2009 in which he called President Obama a "remarkable leader."
Huntsman formally entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination on June 21, 2011.
Non-political Interests
From AllGov:
“Outside of his political work, Huntsman has served as president and CEO of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, and as chair of the Utah Opera, Envision Utah, KSL radio’s Family Now Campaign, and the National Governors Association’s Natural Resources Committee, which is currently chaired by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Huntsman is also a branch director of Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a member of the advisory board of the University of Utah School of Business and a member emeritus of the board of trustees for the University of Pennsylvania.”
Huntsman is interested in rock music and extreme sports, especially motorcross. While Governor, his office was said to be decorated with model motorcycles and photographs of Huntsman riding a dirt bike while covered in mud. He also loves street food, perhaps stemming from his travels in the far East, often choosing to forgo a meal at a formal restaurant for a simpler lunch at a food stall.
Sources:
Official website of Jon Huntsman
Info Please: Biography of Jon Huntsman
All Gov: Profile of Jon Huntsman
Taipei Times: Article on Jon Huntsman
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