Aug. 7, 2009: U.S. Senate confirms Huntsman as ambassador.

May 16, 2009: President Barack Obama names Huntsman to be U.S. ambassador to China.

May 2, 2009: Huntsman has several speaking engagements in Michigan, fueling rumors of a presidential run.

March 30, 2009: Governor signs landmark liquor legislation, doing away with Utah's private-club law.

Feb. 9, 2009: Huntsman voices support for civil unions, drawing ire of conservative legislators.

January 2009: A Tribune opinion poll finds that Huntsman enjoys an 83 percent approval rating.

Jan. 5, 2009: Huntsman sworn in for second term.

December 2008: Huntsman endorses federal stimulus bill to help Utah balance its budget.

Nov. 4, 2008: Huntsman re-elected with a record 78 percent of the vote, calls results " a mandate."

Sept. 29, 2008: During a gubernatorial campaign debate, Huntsman vows to serve full term if he is re-elected.

Sept. 26, 2008: Legislature convenes special session to cut budget in response to economic downturn.

Sept. 23, 2008: Huntsman commits state to Western Climate Initiative's regional emissions cap-and-trade push.

Sept. 4, 2008: Huntsman nominates Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be vice president at the Republican National Convention.

Aug. 14, 2008: Huntsman creates task force to monitor high gas prices.

Aug. 4, 2008: Huntsman implements four-day workweek for most state offices.

May 28, 2008: Huntsman welcomes President Bush, raising money for Sen. John McCain's presidential bid.

July 1, 2008: Huntsman calls for "moonshot" to make U.S. energy independent.

April 23, 2008: Huntsman vows to block EnergySolutions from importing radioactive waste from Italy.

March 19, 2008: Huntsman signs legislation aimed at reforming Utah's health care.

November 2007: Huntsman visits Iraq with Sen. John McCain.

Oct. 27, 2007: Governor goes on a trade mission to India.

Oct. 17, 2007: Huntsman makes his only public appearance endorsing a controversial school-voucher proposal. The vouchers were overwhelmingly defeated in a statewide referendum.

August 2007: Huntsman spars verbally with Bob Murray, owner of the Crandall Canyon mine, after the accidents that killed nine men, appoints task force to review Utah mine safety.

May 21, 20017: Huntsman joins other governors in signing onto Western Climate Initiative.

March 15, 2007: Huntsman strikes deal with EnergySolutions to cap the capacity of the company's radioactive waste dump in Tooele County.

March 2007: Huntsman signs into law overhaul of state's income-tax system, moving the state toward a flatter, lower tax with fewer deductions.

Feb. 12, 2007: Governor signs nation's largest school-voucher law.

Feb. 6, 2007: Huntsman wades into fight over Real Salt Lake soccer stadium, brokering deal to build the new facility in Sandy.

January 2007: Huntsman imposes gift b an for officials in the executive branch.

December 2006: The Huntsman family travels to India to adopt 1-year-old Asha.

November 2006: Huntsman travels to Baghdad, calls situation a "caldron of instability."

October 2006: Huntsman leads Utah businesses on trade mission to China.

September 2006: Governor convenes special session to begin tax-reform process.

July 19, 2006: Huntsman becomes an early backer of Sen. John McCain's presidential bid and later co-chairs his election campaign.

June 2006: Huntsman fights to protect Medicaid dental coverage; eventually billionaire James Sorensen bailed out the program.

March 2006: Huntsman marks his 46th birthday in Iraq.

March 2006: Governor signs into law the Utah Science, Technology and Research Initiative, aimed at luring tech business to state.

January 2006: Legislature and governor have showdown over plan to cut him out of decisions on importing radioactive waste to EnviroCare.

Sept. 21, 2005: The governor signs an agreement he helped negotiate ending a protracted standoff over the construction of the Legacy Highway. The Legislature approved the deal in November.

July 11, 2005: Huntsman leaves on diplomatic mission to Mexico.

March 2005: The Legislature refuses to act on a Huntsman-backed bill to allow same-sex couples to enter into contracts to allow hospital visitation and shared property.

January 2005: On night of his inauguration, Huntsman fires 33 staffers from the state office of economic development, eventually incorporating the duties in the governor's office.

Jan. 3, 2005: Huntsman sworn in as Utah's 16th governor.

Nov. 2, 2004: Jon Huntsman Jr. elected governor, winning 57 percent of the vote to beat Democrat Scott Matheson.