Jon Huntsman

Republican John Huntsman is the governor of Utah. He was first elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. A Republican, Huntsman is at odds with his party on several issues and has assailed its leaders in Congress as lacking vision.Washington Times: GOP governor: Congressional leadership 'inconsequential' (February 24, 2009)

According to reports on May 15, 2009, Huntsman will resign his governorship in order to accept an appointment by President Obama as U.S. Ambassador to China. Huntsman has an adopted daughter from China and speaks Mandarin Chinese.Salt Lake Tribune: Huntsman to accept ambassadorship to China (May 15, 2009)

In a February 2009 interview with the Washington Times, Huntsman criticized the Republican leaders in Congress. Huntsman said that the party lacks visionaries that put the country before the party. He said he has never met the Congressional leaders and doesn't follow what they say, because it's "inconsequential".Washington Times: GOP governor: Congressional leadership 'inconsequential' (February 24, 2009)