Shurtleff will serve as Utah chairman of McCain's efforts, his exploratory committee said. Huntsman previously said he would serve as one of several co-chairpersons of McCain's committee.
"I just think the best candidate is McCain," Shurtleff said Thursday. "You've got someone with a record of service that shows he can work toward compromise to get things done."
McCain's pick up of Huntsman and Shurtleff could be a small blow to Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Mormon who also is eyeing a White House run. Both Huntsman and Shurtleff are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and both say Romney is a good leader, but they have chosen to back McCain.
Huntsman's father, chemical magnate and billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr., is a Romney supporter and serves as co-chairman of the finance effort of Romney's Commonwealth political action committee.
Shurtleff admits he will have a tough job to rally support for McCain, noting that most people probable assumed he was a Romney supporter himself.
"I think so most people do if you're from Utah, assume you're for Mitt Romney," Shurtleff said. "So as chair of the Utah exploratory committee, I have some work to do to explain why John McCain is the best candidate." McCain praised Huntsman and Shurtleff in a statement.
"Utahns are privileged to have these two men leading their great state," McCain said. "I am honored to have their support as my exploratory committee moves forward."
