Gary R. Herbert

Infobox_Lt_Governor
name= Gary R. Herbert


order=6^th
office= Lieutenant Governor of Utah
term_start= January 2005
term_end="present"
predecessor= Gayle McKeachnie
successor="incumbent"
birth_date= birth date|1947|5|7|mf=y
birth_place= American Fork, Utah
death_date=
death_place=
spouse= Jeanette Herbert
profession=Realtor
party= Republican
religion=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Gary Richard Herbert (born May 7, 1947 in American Fork, Utah) is currently serving as the sixth Lieutenant Governor of Utah.

Election as Lieutenant Governor

In November of 2003, Herbert—who was then a county commissioner for Utah County—began campaigning for the Republican nomination for Governor of Utah. In April, 2004, a month before the state convention at which the gubernatorial nominee would be selected, Herbert joined forces with his then-rival, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., becoming Huntsman's Lieutenant Governor running mate. The combination of the Huntsman and Herbert delegations was likely critical in Huntsman's securing of the nomination over incumbent governor Olene Walker. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20040421/ai_n11454894] . The two went on to defeat their Democratic opponents in the November election.

Duties as Lieutenant Governor

Because Utah currently has no Secretary of State [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE67/htm/67_01a000200.htm] , many of the functions that would commonly be served by a state Secretary of State are fulfilled by Utah's Lieutenant Governor [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE67/htm/67_01a000600.htm] . Accordingly, Governor Herbert's statutory duties include the oversight of all Notaries Public [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE46/htm/46_01_000300.htm] , the legal authentication of documents [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE67/htm/67_01a000600.htm] , maintaining oversight and regulation of registered lobbyists [http://www.livepublish.le.state.ut.us/lpBin22/lpext.dll/InfobaseUtahCode/title08405.htm/chapter08428.htm/section08433.htm?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm&q=36-11-201&x=Advanced&2.0#LPHit1] , certifying municipal annexations [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE10/htm/10_01_011700.htm] , and serving as the "keeper" of The Great Seal of the State of Utah [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE67/htm/67_01a000700.htm] .

Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Herbert serves as Chairman of over thirteen statewide commissions, such as the Utah Commission on Volunteers [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE09/htm/09_01_080300.htm] , the Utah Commission on Civic and Character Education [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE67/htm/67_01a001000.htm] and the Utah Emergency Management Administrative Council [http://le.utah.gov/~2008/bills/hbillenr/hb0107.htm] .

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 [http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE20A/TITLE20A.htm] —federal, state, or local—that take place in Utah. In this capacity, Herbert has implemented all HAVA [http://www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm] 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 and his comprehensive LeaveYourPrint.com campaign.

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.

External links

* [http://lg.utah.gov/ Utah Lieutenant Governor website]
* [http://www.leaveyourprint.com/ LG Herbert's "Leave Your Print" campaign]
* [http://www.bereadyutah.gov/ LG Herbert's "Be Ready Utah" campaign]