Gary Richard Herbert (born May 7, 1947 in American Fork, Utah) is the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Utah.
Election as Lieutenant Governor
Gary R. Herbert, a candidate for Governor in 2004, was announced as the runningmate of gubernatorial candidate Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. on April 21, 2004 [1]. Because of his ability to deliver critical votes during the 2004 GOP convention, Herbert was a key player in the election of Governor Huntsman.citation needed
Duties as Lieutenant Governor
Because Utah currently has no Secretary of State, many of the functions that would commonly be served by a state Secretary of State are fulfilled by Utah's Lieutenant Governor. Accordingly, Governor Herbert's statutory duties include the oversight of all Notaries Public, the legal authentication of documents, maintaining oversight and regulation of registered lobbyists, certifying municipal annexations, and serving as the the "keeper" of The Great Seal of the State of Utah.
Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Herbert serves as Chairman of over thirteen statewide commissions. And at the direction of Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Herbert leads state efforts concerning homeland security, transportation, water and rural affairs issues.
Administration of Elections
Arguably the most important duty of the Utah Lieutenant Governor is to maintain general oversight authority over all elections—federal, state, or local—that take place in Utah. In this capacity, Herbert has implemented all HAVA stipulations. In 2007, Herbert oversaw the first statewide referendum to take place since the creation of the Lieutenant Governor's post. Herbert also restored public confidence in the state's election system when a potential scandal dealing with the state's voting machines was generated by Internet rumors. To date, Herbert's performance as the state's Chief Elections Officer has been met with an astounding 95% approval rating. And under Herbert, the office of the Lieutenant Governor has received numerous awards, including many dealing with the voter-outreach program established by Governor Herbert.
Experience
Prior to his election as Lieutenant Governor in 2004 on the Republican ticket with Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Herbert served fourteen years on the Utah County Commission, serving as chairman. Herbert also served as the president of the Utah Association of Counties, where he was named as Utah's Outstanding County Commissioner and County Elected Official. He is also the recipient of the National Outstanding Republican County Elected Official of the Year award.
Personal
Gary R. Herbert was born in American Fork, Utah, and grew up in Orem, Utah. His parents are Duane and Carol Herbert. Governor Herbert is married to Jeanette Snelson Herbert; they have six children and eight grandchildren. Their oldest daughter, Kimberli, is married to Montreal Alouettes slotback Ben Cahoon, and their youngest son, Brad, is married to former American Idol finalist and current Recording Artist Carmen Rasmusen.
Political Future
Lieutenant Governor Herbert is expected to run for Governor of Utah in 2012, but is also rumored to have an interest in seeking the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
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