Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Candidate for: Governor

Political party: Republican
Birth date: March 26, 1960
Birth place: Palo Alto, California
Current city of residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Family members: Wife: Mary Kaye Huntsman; Children: Mary Anne, Abigail, Elizabeth, Jon III, William, Gracie, Asha
Current occupation: Governor of the State of Utah
Education: Bachelor of Arts, International Politics, University of Pennsylvania
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1. Using 150 to 200 words, please state your reasons for running for office. What compels you to take on this responsibility?
   
   Being Governor has been the greatest honor of my life in public service. This job comes with tremendous challenges where we are able to provide innovative solutions to help all Utahns. It is my privilege to represent more than 2.7 million Utahns as we look at issues that are critical to our quality of life in the Greatest State in America, such as educating our children and future leaders, providing first-class transportation infrastructure which in turn helps our efforts in economic development to make us more competitive for success. We have been able to accomplish great things in the past four years and there is still work to be done.
    
2. What do you consider to be the top three issues currently facing Utah? Please list them in order of priority to you (with #1 the most important) and explain why they are important to you and to Utah.
   
   a. The economy
   
   Utah’s economy is among the strongest in the nation, however it is currently experiencing weakness as the rest of the nation is teetering on recession.  Ensuring the strength and vitality of Utah’s economy is my top priority because nothing else is possible without a strong and vibrant economy.
   
   b. Health system reform
   
   Utah’s health care system is broken.  Because of rising health insurance premiums, fewer companies can offer coverage to their employees.  As a result, more people now have to get their healthcare from emergency rooms and costs are skyrocketing.  We must make our health care system more affordable, more portable, and more consumer oriented.
   
   c. Energy development and security
   
   Oil prices at $150 a barrel and gas prices above $4 a gallon simply illustrate the problems in our energy system.  Our nation and our world are at a crossroads.  We must act now to address energy problems by focusing on three areas: 1) affordability, 2) energy independence, and 3) increase our sustainability by reducing emissions. 
    
3. What do you plan to do to address your top three issues?
   
   a. The economy
   
   When I first ran for office in 2004 I convened a group of business and community experts to develop a 10-point plan to strengthen Utah’s economy.  Over the last four years in office I have worked to implement each one of these points.  Therefore, I have once again convened a new group of local experts to develop a new 10-point economic plan for Utah’s economy.  Because of a young, productive, hard working workforce, Utah is in a unique position relative to other states in the U.S.  We must act now to strengthen our relative position so when the U.S. economy begins to recover we will be positioned to benefit above any other state.
   
   By providing unprecedented reform to our tax code, our economy is stronger because we are more economically competitive than ever before. This accomplishment gives Utah a strong starting point for the success of our economy.
   
   b. Health System Reform
   
   I have worked closely with the Utah Legislature to address our pressing health care needs.  Through HB 133, which was passed in the 2008 legislative session, the groundwork for reform has been established.  In the short term, a health system reform task force is working to develop legislation and better define the problem – and their associated solutions for our State.  Over the next few years, we will continue to work to implement these much-needed changes that will allow Utah families access to affordable policies that are directed at their needs.
   
   c. Energy Development and Security
   
   As the current chair of the Western Governor’s Association I have made energy a top priority for the organization.  I am leading an effort to develop an energy policy framework that will be delivered to the next presidential administration in Washington.  This framework will recommend specific changes that need to occur in the first 100 days in office. 
    
4. What are your most important accomplishments that would make you the most qualified candidate for office?
   
   a. Tax reform – historic tax cuts coupled with the creation of a more stable and economically competitive tax code are the groundwork of building a strong economic development plan.
   
   b. Best managed state in the nation – named by the Pew Center, Utah has been recognized for its proactive approach to governance, the implementation of the balanced scorecards, which provides measurable goals and accountability in government and fiscal responsibility, and maintaining the top-notch AAA bond rating.
   
   c. Education funding and teacher compensation have had record increases – total funding for education increased by more than $1 Billion in the past three years and beginning teacher salaries have increased by more than $5,000 in that same time frame.
   
   d. Legacy Highway is a testament to our State’s commitment to progress in conjunction with maintaining our quality of life. After years of fighting and litigation, through cooperation and partnerships, we now have a tremendous asset to our both our state’s transportation infrastructure and our nature preserve.
   
   e. Economic Development – In the past three years, more than 100,000 jobs have been added to Utah's economy. Efforts to invest in local companies, entrepreneurs and research innovations have strengthened our economy. Likewise, promoting efforts like corporate relocations have brought highly-visible companies like Procter & Gamble and Goldman Sachs to our State.
    
5. What skills, talents, and strengths do you have that enhance your ability to be an effective office holder?
   
   Progress requires innovation, stick-to-itiveness and leadership. As Governor, I have learned that leadership requires a lot of following – following the needs of the people you serve and represent, following the problems to their root and following through on innovative solutions. My goal as Governor is to leave the State in a better position than when I was elected to lead it, fully expecting the next generation of leaders to continue that path of progress.
    
6. Why do you belong to your political party? 
   
   The Republican Party is in harmony with my personal philosophy: family and traditional values; limited government; personal freedom coupled with individual responsibility and accountability; economic opportunity based on a free market; constitutional government; and, judges that interpret the state and federal constitutions in accordance with original intent – not their personal political preferences.  The Republican Party is about getting back to the basics, simplifying our tax code, unburdening the economy from government regulation and educating children because they are our future.