Jon Huntsman Jr. formally announced Thursday that he plans to run for a third term as Utah’s governor, looking to return to the office he held about a decade ago.
And Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox — who announced his bid back in May 2019 — took note.
Cox tweeted a simple photo of the David vs. Goliath battle from the Bible.
Jeff Burningham, who is also running for governor, tweeted a response to Cox’ response.
Huntsman and Cox plan to run after current Gov. Gary Herbert announced that he will not run again.
“We are here to say that we are so very honored and humbled to announce my candidacy for governor of the greatest state in America,” Huntsman said in an interview on KSL Newsradio.
He said he is running as “an outgrowth of our commitment to public service.”
Cox unveiled his reasons for running at an event in May in Fairview, Utah, as reported by the Deseret News.
“The governor asked me several months ago if we would be willing to run,” he said from his home in Fairview. “It has been a harder decision than many people realize. … Everybody wants to be governor, but nobody wants to do governor.”
Herbert supported Cox’s decision to run.
“Jeanette and I are excited to see the lieutenant governor and his lovely wife Abby make this decision. We sincerely wish them well and hope for their success,” Herbert said.