U.S. ambassador to Russia resigns
Jon Huntsman Jr. calls it 'a historically difficult time in relations between the two countries'
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. is resigning after a two-year stint during what he called a historically difficult time in relations between the two countries.
Derek Miller, president of the Salt Lake Chamber business association, said Tuesday that Huntsman is looking for places to live in Utah amid speculation that he may again run for governor.
Huntsman left the Utah governor's office in 2009, when President Barack Obama tapped him as U.S. ambassador to China.
President Donald Trump named him ambassador to Russia in 2017, as the U.S. investigated Moscow's meddling in the 2016 election.
In a resignation letter dated Monday, Huntsman said he was honoured by the trust Trump placed in him "during this historically difficult period in bilateral relations" that has included expulsions and forced departures of his staff. Huntsman also urged the U.S. to hold Russia accountable for behaviour that threatens its allies.
He said he is leaving the position to reconnect with family and home responsibilities, but is expected to serve through Oct. 3.
In Russia, the state-run Tass news agency quoted an unnamed spokesperson in the foreign ministry as saying Huntsman is a professional, but "the domestic political state of affairs in the U.S." made it impossible to fully develop bilateral ties.
After his expected return to Utah, it's unclear whether Huntsman would seek to return to the governor's mansion in 2020, but if he does he step into the race he would have immediate credibility and popularity, Miller said.
"I think he's looking at it very closely," he said.
A recent poll from the Salt Lake Chamber found Huntsman nearly tied with the first declared candidate, Republican Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, in a hypothetical general election, but trailing him among Republican voters who will decide the party nomination, Miller said.
Cox said in a statement Tuesday that he's glad Huntsman has decided to return. "If he decides to run for governor again, it would make me a better candidate," Cox said.