President Barack Obama’s nomination of Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman as Ambassador to China has set up a special election in 2010 to replace him.
Utah voters approved a ballot measure in 2008 setting up special elections in case of a vacancy in the Governor’s office. Once Huntsman resigns, which won’t happen until the Senate confirms his nomination; GOP Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert will become Governor until the 2010 special election. Voters will then get to decide whether he finishes the remaining two years of Huntsman’s term that is slated to end in 2012.
Herbert made an unsuccessful bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2004. During the campaign, he portrayed himself as David to a field of Goliaths; he is not personally wealthy like most of his opponents in the race were and he did not have as much political experience. Just weeks before the state party’s nominating convention, Huntsman tapped Herbert as his running mate.
The incoming Governor has a base in Utah County, which includes Provo and is heavily Republican. He was elected to the Utah County Commission
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