Potential 2012 presidential candidate Jon Huntsman scored a key endorsement in the early-voting state of South Carolina Monday. Mike Campbell, the son of former governor and political heavyweight Carroll Campbell, has announced his support for the former ambassador to China.
Huntsman may also be the first presidential hopeful to benefit from Mike Huckabee’s decision not to run in 2012. Campbell was the South Carolina chairman for Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign in 2008.
“Like all of us who worked so hard for my good friend’s Mike Huckabee’s 2008 campaign, I was disappointed he decided not to run for president his year,” said Campbell in a statement. “However, in the quest to replace Barack Obama, we much quickly look to the future.”
“As governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman demonstrated he is the type of problem-solver our country needs,” continued Campbell.
He went on to say that he was “extremely impressed” with Huntsman during the potential candidate’s recent trip to the Palmetto State and praised his record as governor of Utah.
“As more South Carolinians get to know Governor Huntsman, I believe they will come to the same conclusion I have — that he is the right leader for our party and our country in this important election,” he said.
While Huntsman has not yet announced his candidacy for president, he has been busy laying the groundwork for a campaign in recent weeks, with visits to early voting states like South Carolina, New Hampshire and Florida.