During the 2004 campaign, Huntsman touted his status as stranger to the status quo in a bid to convince voters he would raise the sun on a "new day" for Utah. But now that the 44-year-old former ambassador/smart growth planner/chemical company-cancer foundation executive has been elected, that campaign slogan smacks into reality.

Huntsman has to run the state. And to do that, he needs to work with legislators and bureaucrats, business leaders and advocates for low-income people. His legislative priorities are clear and ambitious - perhaps ambitious enough to cut short the expected honeymoon with reporters and lawmakers. Claiming a mandate from voters, he says he is willing to drain his reservoir of good will and popularity to push his initiatives.

And over it all looms the name. Huntsman is determined to distinguish himself from his larger-than-life father.

Huntsman advisers believe the self-described role of outsider still works in that scenario.

"He's never been part of the government apparatus here in Utah," says Huntsman transition director Greg Hopkins. "This isn't a career for him. . . . He doesn't need the job. And that gives him a fresh perspective."

Is Huntsman an insider or outsider?

Unlike previous governors, Huntsman is a relative enigma to political observers, state employees and lawmakers. Gov. Olene Walker served 10 years in the state Legislature and another 11 years as lieutenant governor before taking the helm. Former Gov. Mike Leavitt had not run for office before, but was a Utah Republican Party insider and campaign strategist, and his father, Dixie Leavitt, was a powerful state senator from southern Utah. Former Gov. Norm Bangerter was speaker of the Utah House.

Huntsman's only political role previous to his election was as political donor and appointee. Utah voters now have made Huntsman's lack of dues-paying, schmoozing time in state politics moot.

Those around Huntsman believe his business-oriented skepticism of government uniquely qualifies him for the job ahead.

"To be successful, he will need to be both an insider and an outsider," said former U.S. Sen. Jake Garn, co-chairman of Huntsman's transition team. "You certainly have to work within the mechanisms of government. But too many people get involved in public office and become insiders. You have to maintain your contacts with ordinary people. He'll do that."

Does he play well with others?

Because Huntsman is relatively unknown in Utah politics, state lawmakers are holding their tongues for now. Huntsman will get the prerequisite, kid-glove treatment of any new governor, legislators say.

"Jon Huntsman was elected by the citizens of this state because he has a plan for the future," said St. George Republican Sen. Bill Hickman. "It's our obligation to look at that plan and give it every consideration. We owe him at least that."

That good will usually lasts until the first budget fight.

The governor-elect set aside two spots on his transition team for newly elected House Speaker Greg Curtis and Senate President-elect John Valentine. Curtis says Huntsman has talked openly with him about his plans. Such open communication goes a long way with legislators, Curtis says.

"One of the most difficult things is open communication," he says. "It's very time-consuming. How many hours does a governor have to talk to legislators so everybody feels like nobody got snubbed? But it's critical."

Huntsman Chief of Staff-designee Jason Chaffetz says the governor-elect is trying to build bridges now, acknowledging tension could come later. "We want to work closely with legislators and form a tighter relationship so we can get some important stuff done," Chaffetz says.

What does he want to do?

Huntsman detailed his priorities for Utah's 45-day legislative session over the course of his yearlong campaign. Some of them have set the governor-elect up for a quick end to his honeymoon.

One of the first ideas - ethics reform - landed like a rock thrown through the window of the statehouse. Lawmakers have considered others - his suggestion that Utah's alcohol laws should be more "user-friendly" and that adults who live together and share finances should have some of the inheritance and insurance rights inherent in marriage - with caution. His idea to use the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship as a study of the impact of tuition-tax credits on Utah schools leaves some lawmakers gleeful, but school officials apprehensive. And no one argues with his plans to boost the state's economic development.

Valentine, a Republican from Orem, says Huntsman's reception among lawmakers will depend on the details of his plans.

"There's a period of time that significant deference is given to the new governor to try to work with him. I don't think the next session will be any different," Valentine says.

"But that deference doesn't extend to a blank check where the governor automatically gets anything done that he wants to get done," he adds. "He'll get hearings for his ideas."

Will he go to the mat?

Lawmakers' response to his ideas may force Huntsman into the uncomfortable task of finessing, threatening or arm-twisting to accomplish his goals. Leavitt was criticized for not risking his popularity when a fight with legislators brewed. Walker apparently started arm-twisting the day after her inauguration. Bangerter struggled to win re-election after engineering sales and income tax hikes.

University of Utah political science professor Matt Burbank isn't sure what to expect of Huntsman, considering his cautious approach to the gubernatorial campaign - taking strong initial positions on legislative ethics reform and tuition-tax credits before softening his statements.

"I don't get the sense he's going to be aggressive in his approach to controversial issues," Burbank says. "I don't think he has an agenda he's going to pursue come hell or high water. If he wanted to pursue a conservative agenda, he probably could. But we haven't seen any of that."

Huntsman and his staff warn the governor-elect is not afraid to push for real change.

Tax reform, rational liquor laws, reciprocal beneficiaries: "We're willing to put it all on the line," Chaffetz says.

Parental guidance suggested?

Through it all, Huntsman will be trying to differentiate himself in Utahns' minds from his father, billionaire industrialist-philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr.

The elder Huntsman did not respond to an interview request for this story.

Chaffetz says the father - who was ever-present at the state Republican convention, at campaign debates and on election night - will be just a dad. He says he is "not aware" of any Huntsman Corp. employees in line for any of the nearly 600 appointed jobs in state government.

Jon Huntsman Sr. "wasn't in the back room coaching," Chaffetz says. "There's a real difference between him being a good father and participating in other detailed ways. It didn't happen during the campaign. I can't imagine that happening during this administration."

---

Tribune reporter Kirsten Stewart contributed to this story.