Gary Herbert | |
---|---|
17th Governor of Utah | |
In office August 11, 2009 – January 4, 2021 | |
Lieutenant | Greg Bell (2009–2013) Spencer Cox (2013–2021) |
Preceded by | Jon Huntsman Jr. |
Succeeded by | Spencer Cox |
Chair of the National Governors Association | |
In office July 25, 2015 – July 17, 2016 | |
Deputy | Terry McAuliffe |
Preceded by | John Hickenlooper |
Succeeded by | Terry McAuliffe |
6th Lieutenant Governor of Utah | |
In office January 3, 2005 – August 11, 2009 | |
Governor | Jon Huntsman Jr. |
Preceded by | Gayle McKeachnie |
Succeeded by | Greg Bell |
Member of the Utah County Commission | |
In office 1990–2004 | |
Preceded by | Brent Morris |
Succeeded by | Larry Ellertson |
Personal details | |
Born | Gary Richard Peters May 7, 1947 American Fork, Utah, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Jeanette Snelson |
Children | 6 |
Education | Brigham Young University |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Rank | Staff sergeant |
Unit | Utah Army National Guard |
Gary Richard Herbert (born May 7, 1947) is an American politician who served as the 17th governor of Utah from 2009 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he chaired the National Governors Association during the 2015–2016 cycle.
Herbert was appointed to a seat on the Utah County Commission in 1990, where he served 14 years. He ran for the Republican nomination for governor in 2004, ultimately becoming fellow Republican candidate Jon Huntsman's running mate in the general election. Herbert served as the sixth lieutenant governor of Utah from 2005 until August 11, 2009, when he assumed the governorship following the resignation of Huntsman, who was appointed to serve as the United States Ambassador to China by President Barack Obama. Herbert was elected to serve out the remainder of the term in a special gubernatorial election in 2010, defeating Democratic nominee Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon with 64% of the vote. He won election to a full four-year term in 2012, defeating Democratic Businessman Peter Cooke with 68% of the vote and was re-elected to a second full four-year term in 2016. Herbert announced in 2019 that he would not seek re-election to a third full term in 2020; he endorsed the gubernatorial candidacy of his Lieutenant Governor, Spencer Cox.[1]