Sen. Mike Lee endorses former Utah Gov. Huntsman Jr. in GOP gubernatorial race

Jon Huntsman Jr., right, talks with Jarom Bergeson, an attorney at KKOS Lawyers, after Huntsman announced he is running for a third term as Utah’s governor in Cedar City on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Sen. Mike Lee endorsed former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. in the crowded Republican gubernatorial race, likely boosting Huntsman’s chances of being advanced to the June primary election ballot by delegates at the party’s state convention later this month.

“I have seen firsthand what a remarkable leader and a true conservative Jon Huntsman really is,” Lee said in a statement. “In moments when it would have been politically advantageous to abandon his values, he has stood strong in defense of the principles Utah Republicans hold dear.”

Lee, who served as general counsel in the Huntsman administration, said there’s “no doubt he is the right choice to lead Utah through these challenging times and beyond.” The state’s senior GOP senator said Huntsman has stood up for local control of public lands, fought federal overreach and “consistently defended the rights of the unborn.”

The news release from Huntsman’s campaign announcing the endorsement stated Lee “has a long-standing policy of not endorsing candidates in Utah primary races. However, the senator elected to make a rare exception because he feels strongly Gov. Huntsman is the clear choice for conservative Republican delegates and voters.”

Huntsman praised Lee’s efforts in the Senate.

“One of the best things I did as governor was to convince Mike to be a part of our team,” Huntsman said in a statement. “He’s doing a remarkable job representing Utah and fighting for conservative principles in the U.S. Senate, and I am honored to have his support.”

Huntsman, who is continuing to gather voter signatures that must be turned in by the end of the day Monday to guarantee a place on the primary ballot, is one of eight candidates competing at the April 25 GOP state convention that will be held virtually.

Also in the race are Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox; former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes; businessman Jeff Burningham; Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton; former Utah GOP Chairman Thomas Wright; businesswoman Jan Garbett; and perennial candidate Jason Christensen.

So far, Cox and Wright are the only candidates who have submitted enough verified voter signatures to qualify for the ballot. Delegates to the Republican Party’s state convention will advance up to two candidates to the June primary election.

Huntsman was elected governor twice but stepped down in 2009 to become U.S. ambassador to China under then-President Barack Obama. He ran for president in 2012 and later served as U.S. ambassador to Russia for President Donald Trump.

“Two of the most important relationships we have as a country are China and Russia,” Lee said. “To be trusted to stand up for the United States of America in both of those countries should tell you everything you need to know about Jon Huntsman.”

Lee said he knows how much Huntsman “is trusted by President Trump and I was very proud to see him answer the call to serve our country again.”

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/2Voj2CO