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 recruitment 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 Utahns probably assumed he was a Romney supporter.

"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."

tburr@sltrib.com