This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Jon Huntsman's camp — more specifically, his daughter — is doing little to distance itself from the suggestion that Huntsman might head up the third-party Americans Elect Party.
Americans Elect is a non-partisan organization that has qualified for a spot on the presidential ballot in 18 states. The group plans to nominate its candidate through online voting.
Inquiries to Huntsman's former campaign were referred to Abby Livingston, Huntsman's daughter, who was taking questions.
Asked if her father had expressed a willingness to accept the Americans Elect nomination, she offered a vague response: "Not that I know of. However, as you know, anything could happen this cycle."
The blog, Ballot Access News, reported Wednesday that an unnamed source within Americans Elect had indicated that Huntsman, a Republican, would be open to running with former Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, a Democrat.
So far, Huntsman is second among potential "draft" candidates — those who are not seeking the nomination — trailing Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul.
— Thomas Burr & Robert Gehrke