Wikipedia

Jon Huntsman Jr.

American politician, businessman and diplomat (born 1960)
For his father and founder of the Huntsman Corporation, see Jon Huntsman Sr.

Jon Meade Huntsman, Jr. (born March 26, 1960) is an American businessman, diplomat and politician. He was the 8th United States Ambassador to Russia from October 3, 2017 to October 3, 2019 for the Donald Trump administration. He was the 11th United States Ambassador to Singapore from September 22, 1992 through June 15, 1993. He served as the 16th Governor of Utah from January 3, 2005 through August 11, 2009. During the Barack Obama administration, Huntsman served as the United States Ambassador to China from August 28, 2009 through April 28, 2011.

Jon Huntsman Jr.
8th United States Ambassador to Russia
In office
October 3, 2017 – October 3, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byJohn F. Tefft
Succeeded byJohn J. Sullivan
9th United States Ambassador to China
In office
August 28, 2009 – April 28, 2011
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byClark T. Randt Jr.
Succeeded byGary Locke
16th Governor of Utah
In office
January 3, 2005 – August 11, 2009
LieutenantGary Herbert
Preceded byOlene Walker
Succeeded byGary Herbert
11th United States Ambassador to Singapore
In office
September 22, 1992 – June 15, 1993
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Preceded byRobert D. Orr
Succeeded byRalph L. Boyce
Personal details
Born
Jon Meade Huntsman Jr.

(1960-03-26) March 26, 1960 (age 64)
Redwood City, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Mary Kaye Cooper (1983–present)
Children7 (including Abby)
Alma materUniversity of Utah
University of Pennsylvania (BA)
Signature
Chinese name
Chinese洪博培

Huntsman ran for president in the 2012 United States presidential election, but lost the Republican nomination to Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

On March 8, 2017, Huntsman accepted a position as United States Ambassador to Russia under the nomination from President Donald Trump.[1] He was sworn in on October 3, 2017. On August 6, 2019, Huntsman submitted his resignation letter to President Donald Trump as Ambassador to Russia, effective October 3, 2019.[2] He unsuccessfully ran for Utah Governor again in the 2020 race.

Early life

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Huntsman was born in Palo Alto, California, but went to school in Salt Lake City, Utah. His father is businessman Jon Huntsman Sr.. He dropped out of high school to be in a rock band.[3][4] Later, he got a G.E.D. and went to college at the Universities of Utah and Pennsylvania.

Political career

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After living in Taipei for a year, Huntsman served in the Reagan and Bush Administrations. He was Ambassador to Singapore when he was only 32.[5] When Bill Clinton was President, Huntsman ran his family's multimillion-dollar chemical company. He served as George W. Bush's Ambassador to Indonesia and Deputy Trade Representative.[6]

In 2004, Huntsman was elected Governor of Utah. While in office, he cut taxes. While governor, most people in Utah approved of him. He was re-elected in 2008, but resigned as Barack Obama's Ambassador to China. Huntsman served in that capacity from 2009 to 2011. While Ambassador, he watched some Chinese protest; this led to the Chinese blocking his name on Google for a while.

2012 United States presidential campaign

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Huntsman was a candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 Republican primaries. He was one of the most moderate candidates running in the primaries. Huntsman ran on his strong record of job creation in Utah, which had the highest job creation rate in America while he was governor. He has also polled near the bottom of the candidates in the race, although he had a strong showing in New Hampshire. He lost the primaries to Mitt Romney.

Russian ambassador

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On March 8, 2017, Trump nominated Huntsman to serve as the United States Ambassador to Russia.[1] He began the position on October 3, 2017. He resigned in October 2019.[2]

2020 Utah gubernatorial election

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On November 14, 2019, Huntsman announced his plans to run for Governor of Utah again in the 2020 election.[7] He lost the Republican nomination to Spencer Cox in July 2020.

Personal life

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Huntsman is a Mormon and went on a Mormon mission in Asia, but has explored other faiths. Huntsman is also an Eagle Scout.[8][9] Huntsman has seven kids. Two of them are adopted. One of his children, is Abby Huntsman who is a co-host of The View.

In October 2018, Huntsman was diagnosed with stage-1 melanoma and is seeking treatment at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.[10]

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Huntsman accepts ambassadorship to Russia: Report". 8 March 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jon Huntsman, ambassador to Russia, resigns
  3. ↑ "Interactive Timeline". Jon Huntsman For President. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Smith, Robert (May 1, 2011). "Jon Huntsman: A Political Path, Paved With Detours". NPR.
  5. ↑ "National Governors Association Profile". Nga.org. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ "NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources". Nl.newsbank.com. 2001-03-22. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  7. ↑ Strauss, Daniel. "Jon Huntsman launches another run for Utah governor". Politico. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  8. ↑ Joseph M. Dougherty (February 9, 2007). "Scouts present reports to Huntsman". Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Distinguished Eagle Scout Award" (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 12, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Ambassador Huntsman diagnosed with skin cancer, sought treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute". Salt Lake City Tribune. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.

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