Huntsman won’t challenge Lee in Utah Senate

Former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R-Utah) won’t try to unseat Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in 2016. 

“I don’t rule out another run, but not against Mike,” the former presidential candidate said in a text message to the Deseret News. “We don’t always agree (who does) but he’s very capable.”

{mosads}CNN’s John King said on “Inside Politics” on Sunday that Utah business leaders and political strategists had been lobbying Huntsman to challenge the Tea Party favorite, leading to a story in the Deseret News that discussed interest among the more-establishment conservatives in ousting Lee. 

Huntsman reached out to the paper after that story to tamp down the speculation, but added that he has “no formal plans” to campaign on Lee’s behalf. 

“We’ll see what happens after his announcement for reelection,” he said. 

Lee praised Huntsman to the Deseret News, and he said he’d love an endorsement from the former ambassador to China. 

“I love the man. I loved working with him and wish him well in anything he chooses to do,” Lee said.

The former governor served as President Obama’s ambassador to China, as well as ambassador to Singapore under president George H.W. Bush. While working for Obama, allies formed a political action committee ahead of a potential bid for president in 2012. Huntsman resigned in 2011 and speculation mounted until he announced a bid for president. But he never moved in the polls and dropped out after the New Hampshire primary, endorsing eventual nominee Mitt Romney.