Jon Huntsman is resigning as U.S. Ambassador to Russia.
Huntsman submitted his resignation letter to President Trump on Tuesday and said he will depart his post on Oct. 3, The Salt Lake Tribune first reported on Tuesday.
“American citizenship is a privilege and I believe the most basic responsibility in return is service to country,” Huntsman began in his letter, which was obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune. “To that end, I am honored by the trust you have placed in me as the United States ambassador to Russia during this historically difficult period in bilateral relations.”
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman is returning to Utah — and he might run for governorhttps://t.co/0JqR2PK1lW
— The Salt Lake Tribune (@sltrib) August 6, 2019
Huntsman said in his letter he is resigning to “return to the United States after two years to reconnect with our growing family and responsibilities at home,” a reason he said he told Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“Going forward, we must continue to hold Russia accountable when its behavior threatens us and our allies,” Huntsman said in his letter.
Huntsman’s resignation comes amid rumors that he is considering a run for governor back in his home state of Utah.
Huntsman previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore during 1992-1993 and U.S. Ambassador to China during 2009-2011.
He served as Utah’s governor during 2005-2009, and had an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2012.
