Jon Huntsman 2012 presidential campaign

File:Jon Huntsman, Jr. on Air Force One.jpg during his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to China]]

Huntsman served as Governor of Utah from January 2005 until August 2009, but resigned during the first year of his second term to serve as United States Ambassador to China, a position to which he was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama. Speculation of a Huntsman candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination began circulating in the media as early as 2008 and 2009, while Huntsman was still unsure about his political future.[http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/29/cheney-says-gop-presidential-bench-still-strong/ Cheney says GOP presidential bench still strong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521233129/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/29/cheney-says-gop-presidential-bench-still-strong/ |date=2011-05-21 }}, CNN (June 29, 2009)[https://archive.today/20120914150208/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/12/the_rising_jon_huntsman_jr.html?nav=rss_blog The Rising: Jon Huntsman Jr], "The Fix" blog, December 9, 2008, Washington Post In August 2010, a group of political strategists with ties to Huntsman formed a political action committee now called "Horizon PAC" that had the resources to provide a framework for launching Huntsman's campaign in the event he chose to run. The PAC was formed in part as an effort to draft Huntsman into seeking the GOP nomination.{{cite news|author=Lisa Riley Roche|title=White House says Huntsman leaving ambassadorship|work=Deseret News|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700105741/White-House-says-Huntsman-leaving-ambassadorship.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203003536/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700105741/White-House-says-Huntsman-leaving-ambassadorship.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2011}}

On January 31, 2011, Huntsman submitted his formal resignation from his post as U.S. Ambassador to China. The resignation was to take effect April 30, 2011, and Huntsman indicated his plans to return to the United States by May 2011. This move spurred further widespread speculation of Huntsman making a 2012 Republican presidential bid.{{cite web|author=Mike Allen|date=January 31, 2011|publisher=Politico.com|access-date=August 30, 2011|title=Jon Huntsman resigns, may run|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48533.html}}{{cite news|author=MJ Lee|author2=Alexander Burns|title=Gibbs confirms: Envoy is leaving|work=Politico |date=August 10, 2011|access-date=January 31, 2011|url=http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0111/replacing_huntsman_39985424-7857-4738-ad80-69b614809fee.html}}{{cite news|author=Jonathan Martin|author2=Alexander Burns|title=Barack Obama braces for Jon Huntsman 2012 bid|work=Politico |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/48454.html|date=January 31, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011}}

On May 3, after having left his post as Ambassador and returned to the United States, Huntsman formed an official fundraising political action committee, building on the efforts of the previously established Horizon PAC.{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54226.html |title=Jon Huntsman Takes Step Toward 2012 Bid |work=Politico |date=May 3, 2011 |access-date=August 10, 2011 |author=Martin, Jonathan}} On May 18, Huntsman opened his 2012 national campaign headquarters in Orlando, Florida.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-xpm-2011-may-18-la-pn-jon-huntsman-campaign-florida-20110518-story.html|title=Jon Huntsman picks Florida for presidential campaign headquarters |date=May 18, 2011|access-date=November 27, 2012|author=Aaron Deslatte|work=Los Angeles Times}}

{{main|Jon Huntsman Jr.#Political views}}

Huntsman has been described as "a conservative technocrat-optimist with moderate positions who was willing to work substantively with President Barack Obama" by Huffington Post political reporter, Jason Linkins.Linkins, Jason (February 11, 2011) [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/11/jon-huntsman-2012-staff_n_822055.html Jon Huntsman Staff Choice Suggests The Direction His Campaign Will Take], Huffington Post As Governor, Huntsman listed economic development, health-care reform, education, and energy security as his top priorities. Huntsman oversaw large tax cuts and advocated reorganizing the way that services were distributed so that the government would not become overwhelmed by the state's fast growing population. Huntsman also proposed a plan to reform health-care, mainly through the private sector, by using tax breaks and negotiation to keep prices down.Parker, Kathleen (July 26, 2009) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/24/AR2009072401956.html],Washington Post

In a 2008 evaluation of state Governors' fiscal policies, the libertarian Cato Institute praised Huntsman's conservative tax policies, ranking him in a tie for fifth place on overall fiscal policy. He was particularly lauded for his efforts to cut taxes, where he received the highest score on tax policy of all 50 governors. The report specifically highlighted his reductions of the sales tax and simplification of the tax code.{{cite web|author=Chris Edward|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2008|publisher=Cato Institute, Policy Analysis No. 624|date=October 20, 2008|url=http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-624.pdf}}

Huntsman strongly supported civil unions for years but not same-sex marriage;[http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/51795519-90/civil-cowan-gay-governor.html.csp Huntsman's civil-union stance may prove political liability], Robert Gehrke, Salt Lake Tribune, May 11, 2010 and supported legislation as Governor that would have allowed civil unions for same-sex couples in the state.{{cite web|last=Ambinder|first=Marc|title=2012 And Huntsman's Surprise|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2009/02/2012-and-huntsmans-surprise/602/|work=The Atlantic|access-date=May 7, 2011|date=2009-02-13}} In 2007, in response to the problem of global warming, Huntsman signed the Western Climate Initiative, by which Utah joined with other governments in agreeing to pursue targets for reduced production of greenhouse gases. He also appeared in an advertisement sponsored by Environmental Defense, in which he said, "Now it's time for Congress to act by capping greenhouse-gas pollution."{{Citation|last=Struglinski|first=Suzanne |title=Huntsman appears in climate ad|newspaper=Deseret News |date=November 16, 2007|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695228198/Huntsman-appears-in-climate-ad.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803001648/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695228198/Huntsman-appears-in-climate-ad.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 3, 2011|access-date=June 6, 2011}}

On foreign policy, Huntsman has repeatedly stated: "We need to continue working closely with China to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program." He has also named Taiwan, human rights, and Tibet among the "areas where we have differences with China" and vowed "robust engagement" on human rights.{{cite news |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2009/07/25/2003449509|title=Hoklo-speaking diplomat aims for realistic PRC ties|date=July 25, 2009|access-date=November 27, 2012|work=Taipei Times}}

On August 31, Huntsman made a major policy announcement, calling for, amongst other things such as more aggressive action on completing free trade agreements, a tax policy modeled on the Simpson-Bowles plan, specifically: elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax, elimination of taxes on capital gains and dividends, elimination of all deductions and credits, in favor of significantly lower general rates, with brackets of 8, 14 and 23 percent, and lowering the general corporate rate from 35 to 25%.Andrew Malcolm, [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/09/jon-huntsman-jobs-plan.html Gov. Jon Huntsman's jobs plan: 'Straightforward and common sense'] Los Angeles Times September 1, 2011

On November 12, 2008, Politico called him a possible 2012 contender.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1108/Add_to_the_2012_prospect_list_Jon_Huntsman.html |title=Add to the 2012 prospect list: Jon Huntsman |publisher=Politico.Com |date=November 12, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2012}} Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza also speculated Huntsman as a possible candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705382873/Huntsmans-presidential-profile-still-rising.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828065051/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705382873/Huntsmans-presidential-profile-still-rising.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 28, 2011 |title=Huntsman's presidential profile still rising |newspaper=Deseret News |date=December 9, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2012}}

Many Republicans saw Huntsman as a possible rising star in the party. Utah businessman and Republican activist Tim Bridgewater said, "Huntsman has a very bright future". Huntsman said, "I think there will be a lot of personalities emerging between now and 2012. I think the party needs to be smart enough to maintain an open mind. Obama was nowhere on the radar screen four years ago".{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705261585/Huntsman-has-role-in-reshaping-the-GOP.html?pg=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321151150/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705261585/Huntsman-has-role-in-reshaping-the-GOP.html?pg=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 21, 2012 |title=Huntsman has role in reshaping the GOP |newspaper=Deseret News |date=November 8, 2008|access-date=January 13, 2012}} In June 2009, Huntsman top advisor John Weaver, who was also an advisor for McCain, stated, "I firmly believe that Huntsman and people like him are the prescription for what ails us. But I have the feeling that our party maybe won't order that prescription in 2012."{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/18/john-weaver-gop-headed-fo_n_204695.html |title=John Weaver: GOP "Headed For A Blowout" In 2012 If Cheney, Limbaugh, Palin Lead |work=The Huffington Post|date= May 18, 2009|access-date=January 13, 2012 |first=Rachel |last=Weiner}}

In January 2011, Newsweek published an article entitled "The Manchurian Candidate" which featured an interview with Huntsman. When asked whether he intended to run for president in 2012, Huntsman declined to comment.{{cite news|title=The Manchurian Candidate|author=McKay Coppins| work=Newsweek| date=January 1, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/04/the-manchurian-candidate.html#}} The article generated significant speculation about a likely Huntsman 2012 presidential bid.{{cite news|title=Huntsman paves way for presidential bid|author=Jamshid Ghazi Askar|publisher=Deseret News|date=January 28, 2011}}

Huntsman announced his campaign on June 21, 2011, in Liberty State Park, with the Statue of Liberty visible behind him while delivering his speech. The location was chosen in homage to President Ronald Reagan, who launched his own presidential campaign from the same location.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jun-21-la-pn-huntsman-preview-20110621-story.html |title=Jon Huntsman to tie himself to Ronald Reagan in presidential kickoff |author=Mimoli, Michael |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 21, 2011 |access-date=July 1, 2011}} Referring to Reagan's announcement, Huntsman remarked in his own speech, "He assured us we could 'make America great again,' and under his leadership we did. I stand in his shadow as well as the shadow of this magnificent monument to our liberty."{{cite news |date=June 21, 2011 |title=Jon Huntsman launches bid for 2012 Republican nomination |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2011/06/21/jon-huntsman-launches-bid-for-2012-republican-nomination-read-exceprts-of-his-speech/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=New York Daily News}}

In the lead-up to his official announcement, Huntsman gained attention for his campaign's unconventional TV ads, produced by veteran GOP strategist Fred Davis III, featuring a lone motocross rider traveling through rugged terrain as music plays in the background, while facts about Huntsman appear on the screen.{{cite magazine|last=Gray|first=Eliza|title=Ad Absurdum: A GOP pitchman goes Dada.|magazine=The New Republic |date=13 July 2011 |url=http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/91918/fred-davis-GOP-advertising?passthru=NWU5NDU1ZTI0MjUzZmYzZTZjODEwNWQ5YWRiYzRhOWE|access-date=25 July 2011}} The ads were widely parodied, including by the Utah Democratic Party{{cite web|title=In 1 Day| date=19 June 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4xfjWin-RI&feature=player_embedded|publisher=Utah Democratic Party}} and Rick Santorum's campaign.{{cite web|title=Today|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov_wKKB4W88&feature=player_embedded|publisher=Rick Santorum For President|access-date=25 July 2011}}

A notable gaffe made by the Huntsman campaign in the moments before the announcement speech were misspelled press passes distributed to reporters on hand to cover the announcement which read "John Huntsman for President", erroneously adding an extra "H" to Huntsman's name.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/06/huntsman-campaign-launch-begins-day-with-misspelling-of-his-own-name.html |title=Huntsman Campaign Launch Begins Day with Misspelling of His Own Name |author=Kunin, Sarah |date = June 21, 2011 |work = ABC |access-date=July 1, 2011}} Aides reportedly scrambled in an effort to cease the distribution of the misspelled passes.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2011/06/21/huntsmans-big-day-out/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072027/http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2011/06/21/huntsmans-big-day-out/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Huntsman's big day out|publisher=Reuters|author=Ros Krasny|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=November 27, 2012}}

Susie Wiles, who ran Rick Scott's successful 2010 gubernatorial campaign in Florida, worked first as executive director of H-PAC and then as Huntsman's campaign manager. Her appointment dovetailed with Huntsman's strategic emphasis on winning the early Florida primary. She resigned on July 21, 2011, stating, "I signed up to get it started. It's like a phase. This morning I said it's time to move on." She went on to explain that she had never intended to stay on with the campaign indefinitely, but instead had plans "to resume [her] life and get home." Wiles stated her intention to continue to be a "friend and confidante of Huntsman." Matt David, previously the campaign's communications director, replaced Wiles as campaign manager.{{cite news|title=Susie Wiles leaves as Jon Huntsman's campaign manager. "It was just time"|date=July 21, 2011|work=Miami Herald|author=Marc Caputo|url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/susie-wiles-leaves-as-jon-huntsmans-campaign-manager.html#ixzz1SlXYaR2X.}}

The campaign hired Neil Ashdown, chief of staff to Huntsman when he was Governor of Utah and Ambassador to China, as deputy campaign manager. Conyers Davis, who worked with former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and David Cameron's Conservative Party was hired as campaign operations director.{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705375560/Huntsmans-former-chief-of-staff-joins-presidential-campaign.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704012123/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705375560/Huntsmans-former-chief-of-staff-joins-presidential-campaign.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |title=Huntsman's former chief of staff joins presidential campaign |author=Roche, Lisa |date=July 1, 2011 |work=Deseret News}} Matt David served as the campaign's first communications director, before replacing Wiles as campaign manager, with Jake Suski as deputy communications director and Tim Miller serving as Huntsman's spokesperson.{{cite news|title=Huntsman spox: Don't be that TPaw guy|author=Maggie Haberman|work=Politico|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58594.html|date=July 8, 2011}}{{cite news|title=Huntsman staffs up|author=Ben Smith|work=Politico|date=February 11, 2011|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0211/Huntsman_staffs_up.html}} Kris Anderson is leading research for the campaign, with Shawn Reinschmiedt and Dan Comstock's M Street Insight doing research consulting work.{{cite news|author=Alexander Burns|work=Politico|title=Jon Huntsman civility candidate hires research firm|date=June 23, 2011|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57661.html}}

In June 2011, C. Boyden Gray joined the Huntsman team as policy chair. Gray served as White House Counsel to President George H. W. Bush and EU Ambassador under George W. Bush.{{cite news|title=The Bush Brand|author=Mark Halperin|date=June 20, 2011|work=The Page (TIME)|url=http://thepage.time.com/2011/06/20/the-bush-brand/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623191948/http://thepage.time.com/2011/06/20/the-bush-brand/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 23, 2011}} In early July 2011, Mark McIntosh was appointed as the Huntsman campaign's policy director. McIntosh had been working as counsel on energy and natural resource issues at Boyden Gray & Associates, and he previously served as Deputy General Counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President George W. Bush.{{cite news|author=Darren Samuelsohn|title=Jon Huntsman picks Bush official as policy chief|work=Politico|date=July 8, 2011|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58572.html#ixzz1SfusNeaB}} Randy Schriver and Steve Bogden served as Huntsman's respective chief foreign policy and economic advisors.{{cite web |url=http://www.armitageinternational.com/team/member4.html |title=Armitage International, L.C. :: Biography: Randall G. Schriver |website=www.armitageinternational.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010022039/http://www.armitageinternational.com/team/member4.html |archive-date=2011-10-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/09/slugfest/309063/|title = Slugfest|website = The Atlantic|date = 23 August 2012}}

A day after announcing his campaign for president, Huntsman raised $1.2 million,{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43581556/ns/politics-decision_2012/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703024928/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43581556/ns/politics-decision_2012 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |title=Huntsman fights Romney cash juggernaut |author=Dixon, Kim |publisher=MSNBC |date=June 29, 2011}} and approximately $4.1 million in the first weeks of his candidacy.{{Cite news |last=Elliott |first=Philip |date=2011-06-30 |title=Huntsman Collects $4.1 Million In First Days |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/1388180C462C1FB8&f=basic |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.today/2025.04.19-041609/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/1388180C462C1FB8&f=basic |archive-date=2025-04-19 |access-date=2025-04-19 |agency=Associated Press |via=NewsBank}} Huntsman, who has a speculated net-worth between $11 and $74 million,{{cite news |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/51636588-90/2008-billion-campaign-former.html.csp |title=Huntsman's got cash, but not near as much as some |author=Burr, Thomas |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=April 17, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011}} was reported to have contributed "less than half" of his campaign's $4.1 million haul. Before his entry into the race, Huntsman was adamant about avoiding self-financing a campaign, stating "Unless you can raise it legitimately, you're not going to win".{{cite news |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/huntsman-says-no-self-financing-if-he-runs/ |title=Huntsman Says No 'Self-Financing' if He Runs |author=Zeleny, Jeff |work=New York Times |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011}} However, Huntsman stated he would contribute in order to "prime the pump" during a campaign visit in South Carolina.{{cite news |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/was-huntsman-self-financing-or-priming-the-pump/ |title=Was Huntsman 'Self-Financing' or 'Priming the Pump'? |author=Zeleny, Jeff |date=June 23, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |work=The New York Times}} In September, Huntsman reportedly contributed $500,000 to his campaign in order to make payroll. One of Huntsman's greatest contributors was his father Jon Huntsman, Sr., who donated around $2 million to his campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/72211.html|title=Jon Huntsman's dad floated super PAC $1.9 million|work=Politico|first=Robin|last=Bravender|date=January 31, 2012|access-date=September 26, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgave2.php?cmte=C00501098&cycle=2012|title=Our Destiny PAC Contributors|work=OpenSecrets.org|access-date=September 26, 2012}}

With no obligation to do so due to his late entry into the race, the Huntsman Campaign agreed not to file FEC paperwork for the Second Quarter of 2011 ending on June 30, 2011, as reported by the ABC.{{Cite news |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/06/jon-huntsmans-campaign-raises-41-million-in-second-quarter.html |title=Jon Huntsman's Campaign Raises $4.1 Million in Second Quarter |author=Kunin, Sarah |publisher=ABC News |date=June 30, 2011}}

File:Jon Huntsman by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg]]

{{Quote box |title = |quote = To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.

|width = 25% |source = Jon Huntsman Jr.'s Twitter{{cite web| url = https://twitter.com/JonHuntsman/status/104250677051654144| author = Huntsman Jon | title =To be clear...| publisher= Twitter| date = August 18, 2011}} |qalign = center}}

Huntsman gained media attention when he responded to Texas Governor Rick Perry's entrance into the GOP primary by attacking Perry's views on climate change and evolution through Twitter.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/08/jon-huntsman-the-newest-twitter-lebrity |title=Jon Huntsman: The Newest Twitter-lebrity |author=Kunin, Sarah |publisher=ABC News |date=August 19, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011}} Huntsman's tweet was reportedly "re-tweeted" over 3,600 times – the most of any GOP presidential candidate.

Huntsman was scheduled to speak at the Republican Leadership Conference held in New Orleans in June 2011, but canceled. He received 25% of the vote in the annual presidential straw-poll, finishing second behind Ron Paul (41%) and ahead of Michele Bachmann (13%).{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/18/huntsman-surprises-in-big-gop-straw-poll/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622022032/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/18/huntsman-surprises-in-big-gop-straw-poll/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |title=Huntsman surprises in big GOP straw poll |author=Hamby, Peter |publisher=CNN |date=June 18, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011}}

In interviews following his apparent centrist attacks on Perry and Bachmann,{{cite news |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/08/21/huntsman-fires-from-center-at-perry-bachmann/ |title=Huntsman Fires From Center at Perry, Bachmann |author=Weisman, Jonathan |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 21, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011}} Huntsman reiterated a "center right" position. On a This Week interview in August, Huntsman labeled himself a "center right candidate" for a "center right country" and criticized President Obama and his GOP opponents for representing "fringes" on the political spectrum.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jon-huntsman-does-a-center-right-presidential-candidate-have-a-prayer/ |title=Jon Huntsman: Does a 'center right' presidential candidate have a prayer? |author=Montopolli, Brian |publisher=CBS News |date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=August 30, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824184432/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20095503-503544.html |archive-date=August 24, 2011 }} Huntsman was frequently described as "the media's favorite Republican",Weigel, David (June 21, 2011). [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2011/06/nobodys_candidate.html "Nobody's Candidate"]. Slate.Friedersdorf, Conor (August 22, 2011). [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/08/why-the-press-loves-jon-huntsman-but-ignores-ron-paul/243910/ "Why the Press Loves Jon Huntsman but Ignores Ron Paul"]. The Atlantic. with a Florida Today columnist calling him "our man Huntsman".Reed, Matt (December 3, 2011). [http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20111204/COLUMNISTS0207/312040015/Matt-Reed-time-media-s-tank-Republican "This time, media's 'in the tank' for a Republican"]. Florida Today.

Huntsman participated in his first presidential debate on August 11, 2011, in Iowa. The debate was co-sponsored by the Republican Party of Iowa, Fox News, and the Washington Examiner.{{cite news|title=Huntsman will join Fox debate in Iowa|date=June 22, 2011|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57556.html|work=Politico|author=Maggie Haberman}} Huntsman's first question, directed by moderator Chris Wallace was:

:You supported a stimulus package in 2009. In fact, you said the Obama stimulus package was not big enough. As governor, you signed onto a regional cap-and-trade market. You endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples. And you served as President Obama's ambassador to China. Some people have suggested that maybe you're running for president in the wrong party.{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2011/08/ames-debate-romney-bachmann-paul-huntsman-santorum-gingrich-pawlenty-cain.html |title=The Ames Republican debate transcript: Everything they said that you missed |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 13, 2011 |access-date=January 1, 2012}}

Huntsman responded by deflecting Wallace's criticism and argued that his compromise was necessary and that his record as Governor of Utah represented a fiscally conservative position:

:I'm proud of my service to this country. If you love your country, you serve her. During a time of war, during a time of economic hardship, when asked to serve your country in a sensitive position where you can actually bring a background to help your nation, I'm the kind of person who's going to stand up and do it, and I'll take that philosophy to my grave... In terms of the stimulus you talked about, it was failed. And let me tell you what I talked about with respect to the stimulus. I talked about the need for more tax cuts in the stimulus... We had done historic tax cuts. We created a flat tax in the state of Utah, exactly what needs to happen in this country. We got the economy moving. We became the number-one job creator in this nation and the best managed state. That's exactly what needs to happen in this nation. I am running on my record, and I am proud to run on my record.

In early September, Huntsman began shifting campaign resources from Florida to New Hampshire;{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/09/huntsman-focusing-new-hampshire-vote/LXYazkxwc1hSyihfq7nnmI/index.html |title=Huntsman is focusing on New Hampshire vote |author=Schoenberg, Shira |work=The Boston Globe |date=September 9, 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2011}} by moving staffers, Huntsman had the largest operational staff there at the time. The development came as the campaign reorganized New Hampshire operations, firing its campaign manager in charge of the state, Ethan Elion.{{cite news |url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/jon-huntsman-fires-nh-campaign-manager.php |title=Jon Huntsman Fires New Hampshire Campaign Manager |author=Sarlin, Benjy |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2011 |work=Talking Points Memo |archive-date=November 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109093443/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/jon-huntsman-fires-nh-campaign-manager.php |url-status=dead }} Elion was replaced by Sarah Crawford Stewart, who had served as state-director of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's New Hampshire campaign before he suspended his bid after the Ames Straw Poll.

Huntsman received a major endorsement in late-September 2011 from Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security under George W. Bush. Ridge appeared with Huntsman at an event at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire who called Huntsman "the only candidate with demonstrated success at the state, national and international levels." After the endorsement and a series of campaign events in New Hampshire, a Suffolk University poll showed Huntsman in third place in New Hampshire with 10% of likely voters, behind Mitt Romney (41%) and Ron Paul (14%) and ahead of Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin (who had not yet declared an intention of running) and Newt Gingrich among others.{{cite web |url=http://www.suffolk.edu/images/content/FINAL.New.Hampshire.Marginals.Sept.20.2011.pdf |title=NH Likely Republican Primary Voters |publisher=Suffolk University |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2011 |archive-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027082239/http://www.suffolk.edu/images/content/FINAL.New.Hampshire.Marginals.Sept.20.2011.pdf |url-status=dead }} Huntsman made New Hampshire the focus of his campaign, and held over 100 campaign events there.{{cite web|last=Burns|first=Alexander|title=Jon Huntsman doesn't care what you think|date=16 November 2011 |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68469.html|publisher=Politico.com|access-date=2011-11-16}}

When the state of Nevada threatened to move up its nominating contest which would have interfered with the New Hampshire primary, Huntsman elected to "boycott" Nevada and skip a presidential debate held in Las Vegas on October 18, 2011, in protest.{{cite news |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-10-14/politics/30278371_1_nevada-caucus-huntsman-campaign-jon-huntsman |title=Jon Huntsman To Boycott Nevada GOP Debate |author=Terbush, Jon |date=October 14, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2012 |work=Business Insider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425204210/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-10-14/politics/30278371_1_nevada-caucus-huntsman-campaign-jon-huntsman |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

In late 2011, Huntsman was endorsed by several New Hampshire-based newspapers. The Keene Sentinel and the Valley News, both endorsed Huntsman on December 18 over neighboring Governor and front-runner in the state Mitt Romney.{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2011/12/23/huntsman-snags-nh-endorsement.html |title=Huntsman gets New Hampshire newspaper endorsements |author=Krasny, Ross |publisher=Reuters |date=December 18, 2011 |access-date=December 23, 2011}} In addition, the Concord Monitor endorsed Huntsman on December 22.{{cite news |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/concord-monitor-endorses-huntsman/ |title=Concord Monitor Endorses Huntsman |author=Shear, Michael |date=December 22, 2011 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 23, 2011}} Huntsman increased his presence in the state as the year closed, as the pro-Huntsman "Our Destiny" PAC began to increase ad buys in the state{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/12/jon-huntsman-super-pac-ad-new-hampshire-/1 |title=Super PAC ad: Super PAC ad: Huntsman is 'conservative who can win{{'-}} |author=Camia, Catalina |date=December 19, 2011 |access-date=December 23, 2011 |work=USA Today}} A Boston Globe poll released in late December had Huntsman polling in double digits, drawing 11% versus 17% for Gingrich and Paul. All three nonetheless remained well back of Romney at 39% support, however.Levenson, Michael (December 25, 2011). [http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-25/news/30557159_1_mitt-romney-new-boston-globe-poll-primary-voters "Romney leads, Paul rises in N.H. poll"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104200849/http://articles.boston.com/2011-12-25/news/30557159_1_mitt-romney-new-boston-globe-poll-primary-voters |date=2012-01-04 }}. The Boston Globe.

Although Huntsman emphasized his opposition to negative campaigning, he did run an ad attacking Ron Paul with Twilight Zone theme as background music, and implying that Paul's views were outside the mainstream.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2012/01/01/3090978/jon-huntsman-takes-on-ron-paul-on-israel-among-other-topics|title=Jon Huntsman takes on Ron Paul on Israel (among other topics)|publisher=JTA|access-date=2012-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126105450/http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2012/01/01/3090978/jon-huntsman-takes-on-ron-paul-on-israel-among-other-topics|archive-date=2012-01-26|url-status=dead}}

File:Mary Kaye Huntsman (2012).jpg campaigning in New Hampshire ahead of the primary.]]

Huntsman, who held no events in Iowa,{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile/53218959-90/huntsman-iowa-says-hampshire.html.csp|title=Skipping Iowa, Huntsman stacks all his chips in New Hampshire|author=Burr, Thomas|work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=January 2, 2012|access-date=January 7, 2012}} finished seventh in the January 3 Iowa caucuses with 739 votes, or 0.6 percent; ahead of only withdrawn candidate Herman Cain and minor candidate Buddy Roemer.{{cite web|title=Iowa Caucus Results|url=http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/data/iowa-caucus/results/|work=desmoinesregister.com|access-date=November 27, 2012}} Huntsman reiterated a focus on the January 10 New Hampshire primary.{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71071.html|title=Iowa result 'ambiguous', Jon Huntsman says |author=Mak, Tim |work=Politico |date=January 4, 2012|access-date=January 7, 2012}}

Ahead of the New Hampshire primary, Huntsman received newspaper endorsements from The Citizen{{cite news|url=http://www.citizen.com/opinion/editorials/article_53d4a658-37cd-11e1-b7b7-001a4bcf6878.html |title=Huntsman is the one |work=The Citizen |location=Laconia, NH |date=January 6, 2012 |access-date=January 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108092121/http://www.citizen.com/opinion/editorials/article_53d4a658-37cd-11e1-b7b7-001a4bcf6878.html |archive-date=January 8, 2012 }} as well as the Boston Globe, the largest newspaper in neighboring Massachusetts, rival Romney's home-state.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/huntsman-picks-up-boston-globe-endorsement/|title=Huntsman Picks up Boston Globe endorsement|agency= Associated Press|publisher= Fox News|date=January 6, 2012|access-date=January 7, 2012}} According to Politico reporter Jonathan Martin, Huntsman campaigned in a dual manner, with a style and manner suggesting moderation while his SuperPAC aired TV ads which depicted him as conservative.{{cite news|url= http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71192.html|title=Trailing in New Hampshire, Jon Huntsman takes the long view|author=Martin, Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Martin (journalist) |work=Politico|date= January 7, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2012}}

It was in New Hampshire where Huntsman adopted his new "Country First" campaign slogan. The slogan was borrowed from John McCain's 2008 campaign, though the context of the slogan was different.{{cite news|last=Firestone|first=David|title=Huntsman's 'Country First' Slogan |url=http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/huntsmans-country-first-slogan/|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 13, 2012|date=January 10, 2012}} Huntsman, who, as Governor of Utah at the time, endorsed McCain over Mitt Romney in the 2008 Republican presidential primary, had hoped McCain would return the favor; however, McCain endorsed Romney in a rally at Manchester's Manchester Central High School on January 4.{{cite news|last=Hopwood|first=Jon C.|title=John McCain Endorses Mitt Romney in Manchester, N.H.|url=https://news.yahoo.com/john-mccain-endorses-mitt-romney-manchester-n-h-001400251.html|publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=August 13, 2012}} Huntsman later characterized McCain's endorsement of his main rival as a "petty betrayal". He told McCain "I don't care if you support Romney, that's great – but just to have given me the dignity of waiting until after the New Hampshire primary." McCain replied, "I didn't mean to offend. I hope your family is well."{{cite news|last=Rosenthal|first=Max J.|title=Jon Huntsman: John McCain Endorsement Of Mitt Romney Was A 'Petty Betrayal'|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/03/jon-huntsman-john-mccain-mitt-romney_n_1399665.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=August 13, 2012|date=April 3, 2012}}

By the weekend before the January 10 primary, polls showed Huntsman in strong competition with Ron Paul for a second place showing in New Hampshire, behind front-runner Romney. A Pulse Opinion Research poll on January 4 showed Huntsman narrowly behind Paul 19–16%,{{cite web| url = http://watchdog.org/12743/romney-leads-n-h-paul-huntsman-santorum-battle-for-second/| title = Romney leads N.H; Paul, Huntsman, Santorum battle for second| author = Bosse, Grant| publisher = Watchdog.org| date = January 6, 2012| access-date = January 8, 2012| archive-date = January 19, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120119124904/http://watchdog.org/12743/romney-leads-n-h-paul-huntsman-santorum-battle-for-second/| url-status = dead}} while an American Research Group poll on January 7 showed Huntsman edging Paul 17–16%,{{cite web| url =http://americanresearchgroup.com/pres2012/primary/rep/nh/|title=Presidential Primary Preference: New Hampshire|publisher= American Research Group| date = January 7, 2012| access-date = January 8, 2012}} though both remained well behind Romney.

Huntsman ultimately received 17% of the vote in New Hampshire for a third-place finish, although exit polls suggested he won just 10% of Republicans in a primary that was not restricted to registered Republicans.Ball, Molly (January 12, 2012). [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/01/can-huntsman-move-beyond-the-preppy-vote/251331/ "Can Huntsman Move Beyond the Preppy Vote?"]. The Atlantic.

Huntsman stayed in the race after his 3rd-place finish in New Hampshire, campaigning in South Carolina ahead of the January 21 primary, though he expressed that his expectations in the state were "very low", and stated that his primary goal was to "stay relevant" in the race.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71354.html |title=Jon Huntsman's South Carolina goal: 'stay relevant' |date=January 11, 2012 |access-date=January 15, 2012 |author=Hohmann, James |work=Politico}} Nonetheless, Huntsman received the endorsement of South Carolina's largest newspaper, The State on January 15.

{{wikinews|Jon Huntsman ends U.S. presidential campaign, endorses Mitt Romney}}

On January 15, 2012, it was announced that Huntsman would be withdrawing from the race the next day and endorsing Mitt Romney.{{cite news|last=Kucinich|first=Jackie|title=Aides: Huntsman to withdraw from GOP race, endorse Romney|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-01-15/huntsman-withdraws-presidential-race/52587668/1/|access-date=January 16, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|date=January 16, 2012|location=Myrtle Beach, South Carolina}}

After dropping out, Huntsman still received votes due to him having ballot access to every state besides Arizona and Virginia, due to failure to collect enough signatures.{{cite web|url=http://www.westernfreepress.com/2012/01/11/why-was-jon-huntsman-disqualified-from-arizona%E2%80%99s-ballot/|title=Why was Jon Huntsman Disqualified from Arizona's Ballot?|author=Matt Stone|date=January 11, 2012|access-date=November 28, 2012|work=Western Free Press|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101610/http://www.westernfreepress.com/2012/01/11/why-was-jon-huntsman-disqualified-from-arizona%E2%80%99s-ballot/|url-status=dead}} At the end of the GOP primaries, Huntsman placed fifth out of the ten candidates, with a total of 83,173 popular votes and 1 delegate at the Republican National Convention.{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/datagraph.php?year=2012&fips=0&f=0&off=0&elect=2|title=2012 Presidential Republican Primary Election Data Graphs|work=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|access-date=November 28, 2012}}

{{clear}}

A month after dropping out of the race, Huntsman suggested there was a need for a third party in America, stating that "the real issues [were] not being addressed, and it's time that we put forward an alternative vision." Huntsman said that he would not run as a third-party presidential candidate in 2012.{{cite web|last=Bingham|first=Amy|title=Jon Huntsman Calls for the Rise of a Third Party|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/jon-huntsman-calls-for-the-rise-of-a-third-party/|publisher=ABC News|date=February 23, 2012|access-date=August 12, 2012}} The Republican National Committee reacted by withdrawing an invitation for Huntsman to appear as a speaker at a Republican fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, in early March.{{cite web|last=Negrin|first=Matt|title=RNC to Huntsman: No Invite for You|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/rnc-to-huntsman-no-invite-for-you/|publisher=ABC News|date=March 2, 2012|access-date=August 12, 2012}}

In early November 2012, just days before Barack Obama was re-elected as president, the Associated Press named Huntsman as a possible successor to Hillary Clinton as the United States secretary of state.{{cite news| url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2012/11/08/obama-faces-familiar-world-of-problems-in-2nd-term | publisher=Associated Press | title=Obama faces familiar world of problems in 2nd term | date=November 11, 2012| access-date=December 27, 2012}} This speculation was echoed by various media outlets,{{cite news| url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865566373/Will-Huntsman-re-join-Obama-administration-as-Secretary-of-State.html?pg=all | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114235408/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865566373/Will-Huntsman-re-join-Obama-administration-as-Secretary-of-State.html?pg=all | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 14, 2012 | newspaper=Deseret News | title=Will Huntsman re-join Obama administration as secretary of state? | date=November 8, 2012| access-date=December 27, 2012}} particularly after Huntsman came to the defense of United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, describing the criticism of her response to the 2012 Benghazi attack as being "overblown".{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/jon-huntsman-benghazi-susan-rice_n_2198698.html | work=Huffington Post | title=Jon Huntsman: Benghazi, Susan Rice Criticism Overblown | date=November 27, 2012| access-date=December 27, 2012 | first=Sam | last=Stein}}

{{Endorsements box

|title = Politicians

|columns = 2

|list =

United States Congress

• Richard Hanna, US Congressman (NY-24){{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2012/01/hanna-for-huntsman-110244.html |title=Hanna for Huntsman |date=January 9, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2012 |author=Catanese, David |work=Politico}}

State officials

• Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security under George W. Bush{{cite news |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-pa-gov-tom-ridge-endorses-jon-huntsman-in-new-hampshire/ |title=Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge endorses Jon Huntsman in New Hampshire |author=Boerma, Lindsey |work=CBS News |date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2011}}
• Alan Wilson, Attorney General of South Carolina{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/29/south-carolinas-attorney-general-to-endorse-huntsman |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715070814/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/29/south-carolinas-attorney-general-to-endorse-huntsman |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |title=South Carolina's Attorney General to endorse Huntsman |author=Shepherd, Shawna |work=CNN |date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=August 29, 2011}}
• Henry McMaster, Former Attorney General of South Carolina{{cite news |url=http://www.thestate.com/2011/08/30/1951061/wilson-endorses-huntsman.html |title=On 4th visit to S.C., Huntsman looks for middle ground in GOP race |author=Smith, Gina |date=August 30, 2011 |work=The State |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910050017/http://www.thestate.com/2011/08/30/1951061/wilson-endorses-huntsman.html |archive-date=September 10, 2011 }}

State legislators and local officials

:New Hampshire

• Stewart Lamprey, Former New Hampshire State Senate President{{cite news|title=Primary Status: Long-time NH Republican activist Stewart Lamprey backs Huntsman for President|date=July 19, 2011|work=The Union Leader|author=John DiStaso|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110719/NEWS0605/110609989|access-date=July 21, 2011|archive-date=April 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405165359/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110719/NEWS0605/110609989|url-status=dead}}
• David Currier, Former State Senator
• Julie Brown, State Representative for Strafford District 1{{cite news|title=New Hampshire State Representatives Endorse Jon Huntsman for President|date=July 21, 2011|url=http://jon2012.com/campaign/Jul-21-2011/New-Hampshire-State-Representatives-Endorse-Jon-Huntsman-President|access-date=July 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016220000/http://jon2012.com/campaign/Jul-21-2011/New-Hampshire-State-Representatives-Endorse-Jon-Huntsman-President|archive-date=October 16, 2011|url-status=dead}}
• Jim Waddell, State Representative for Rockingham District 15
• Adam Schroadter, Representative for Rockingham District 12
• Rick Ladd Jr., Representative for Grafton District 5{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/09/huntsman-banks-new-hampshire-for-support/wSiBF8Ldln7ZK18qqB6oyM/index.html |title=Huntsman banks on New Hampshire for support |author=Schoenberg, Shira |work=The Boston Globe |date=September 13, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2011}}
• David Knox, Representative for Carroll District 4
• Jeff St. Cyr., Representative for Belknap District 5

:South Carolina

• John E. Courson, State Senator from South Carolina's 20th District

:Florida

• Jim Cason, Mayor of Coral Gables
• Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff, State Senator from Fort Lauderdale{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/huntsman-picks-two-endorsements |author=Leary, Alex |work=Tampa Bay.com |date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=August 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912105258/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/huntsman-picks-two-endorsements |archive-date=September 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
• Ana Navarro, Director of Immigration Policy for Former Governor Jeb Bush and Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission{{cite news |url=http://blog.4president.org/2012/2011/08/jon-huntsman-for-president-announced-the-endorsement-of-jeb-bush-jr-and-ana-navarro-in-florida.html |title=Jon Huntsman For President Announces The Endorsement Of Jeb Bush, Jr. And Ana Navarro In Florida |author=Dec, Mike |work=4President.us |date=August 10, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328115200/http://blog.4president.org/2012/2011/08/jon-huntsman-for-president-announced-the-endorsement-of-jeb-bush-jr-and-ana-navarro-in-florida.html |url-status=dead }}

}}

{{Endorsements box

|title =Newspapers, activists and public figures

|columns = 2

|list =

Newspapers

• The Boston Globe[http://bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2012/01/05/for-vision-and-national-unity-huntsman-for-gop-nominee/NlIwB6agpoZwnnAqHNa6TO/story.html For vision and national unity, Huntsman for GOP nominee], editorial board, Boston Globe January 6, 2011 of Boston, Massachusetts
• The Citizen[http://www.citizen.com/opinion/editorials/article_53d4a658-37cd-11e1-b7b7-001a4bcf6878.html Huntsman is the one] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111000249/http://www.citizen.com/opinion/editorials/article_53d4a658-37cd-11e1-b7b7-001a4bcf6878.html |date=2012-01-11 }}, editorial board, The Citizen, January 6, 2012 of Laconia, New Hampshire
• Concord Monitor[http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/299756/huntsman-is-the-best-choice-for-gop Huntsman is the best choice for the GOP], editorial board, Concord Monitor, December 20, 2011 of Concord, New Hampshire
• The Keene Sentinel[http://www.sentinelsource.com/opinion/editorial/jon-huntsman/article_ed74734d-9365-5b11-a1ac-0db282b46c2d.html Jon Huntsman], editorial board, The Keene Sentinel, December 18, 2011 of Keene, New Hampshire
• The State[http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/15/2114108/huntsman-could-bring-us-back-together.html Huntsman could bring us back together] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118194351/http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/15/2114108/huntsman-could-bring-us-back-together.html |date=2012-01-18 }}, editorial board The State, January 15, 2012 of Columbia, South Carolina
• Valley News[http://www.vnews.com/12182011/8225718.htm Jon Huntsman: The Better Choice] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114142540/http://www.vnews.com/12182011/8225718.htm |date=2012-01-14 }}, editorial board, Valley News, December 18, 2011 of Lebanon, New Hampshire

Political activists

• Mike Campbell, South Carolina campaign chair for the Huckabee campaign in 2008{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
• Rob Wasinger, Campaign Manager for Brownback Campaign in 2008{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
• Max Eden and Michael Knowles, Founders of "Students for Daniels" which tried to encourage Mitch Daniels to run for president{{cite web|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=43976|title=Students for Daniels Founders Endorse Huntsman|work=Human Events|date=June 6, 2011|access-date=June 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609023152/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=43976|archive-date=June 9, 2011|url-status=dead}}

Miscellaneous public figures

• Travis Pastrana, American action sports athlete{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/07/travis-pastrana-gives-jon-huntsman-the-motocross-bump/ |title=Travis Pastrana gives Jon Huntsman the Motocross bump|author=Kunin, Sarah |publisher=ABC News|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=June 3, 2014}}
• Lew Cramer, President of Utah World Trade Center
• John J. Mack, Chairman of Morgan Stanley
• Craig Haffner, Broadway and television producer{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/pacs-rack-up-bucks-for-prez-1118040752/ |title=PACs rack up bucks for Prez |work= Variety|quote= Also expected to tap Hollywood support is Jon Huntsman, who has the backing of producer Craig Haffner, who has been active in GOP causes.|date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |author=Johnson, Ted}}
• Jeb Bush, Jr., son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and nephew of former President George W. Bush{{cite news |url=http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/08/10/jeb-bush-jr-endorses-huntsman |publisher=Fox News |title=Jeb Bush, Jr. Endorses Huntsman |date=August 10, 2011 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114163221/http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/08/10/jeb-bush-jr-endorses-huntsman |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

}}

{{reflist|3}}

{{Sister project links|Jon Huntsman|auto=1|n=y}}

• [http://www.jon2012.com/ Jon Huntsman for President] official site
• [http://www.horizon-pac.com/ Horizon PAC]
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=50681 | fec= | congress= }}
• [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/P20003067 Campaign finance reports and data] at the Federal Election Commission
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/candidate.php?id=N00033338 Financial information] at OpenSecrets.org
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101128044828/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/127146.htm Biography] at the United States Department of State (archived)
• Michael Brendan Dougherty, [http://www.amconmag.com/blog/jon-huntsman-the-no-drama-conservative/ Jon Huntsman, the No-Drama Conservative], The American Conservative, August 24, 2011

{{s-start}}

{{s-off|us}}

{{s-bef|before=Olene S. Walker}}

{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Utah|years= January 3, 2005 – August 11, 2009}}

{{s-aft|after=Gary R. Herbert}}

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Michael Leavitt}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican Party nominee for Governor of Utah|years=2004, 2008}}

{{s-aft|after=Gary Herbert}}

{{s-dip}}

{{s-bef|before=Robert D. Orr}}

{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Ambassador to Singapore|years= August 11, 1992 – June 15, 1993}}

{{s-aft|after=Ralph L. Boyce, Jr.}}

{{s-bef|before=Clark T. Randt, Jr.}}

{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Ambassador to China|years= August 11, 2009 – April 30, 2011 }}

{{s-aft|after=Gary Locke}}

{{s-end}}

{{United States presidential election, 2012}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jon Huntsman presidential campaign, 2012}}

Huntsman, Jon