Gary Herbert

Gary Herbert
Born	Gary Richard Herbert 5/7/1947
Birthplace	American Fork, Utah, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Title	Governor of Utah
Known for	17th Governor of Utah (2009–2021)
Education	Brigham Young University
Spouse(s)	Jeanette Snelson
Children	6
Awards	Chair of the National Governors Association (2015–2016)

Gary Richard Herbert (born May 7, 1947) is an American politician who served as the 17th governor of Utah from August 11, 2009, to January 4, 2021, making him both the longest-serving Republican governor in Utah's history and the second-longest-serving governor overall, behind only Cal Rampton. A member of the Republican Party, Herbert began his political career on the Utah County Commission in 1990 and served there for fourteen years before becoming the sixth lieutenant governor of Utah under Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. in 2005. He assumed the governorship upon Huntsman's resignation to serve as United States Ambassador to China and subsequently won election in his own right in 2010, 2012, and 2016. During his tenure, Herbert chaired the National Governors Association for the 2015–2016 cycle. He announced in 2019 that he would not seek a third full term and endorsed his lieutenant governor, Spencer Cox, as his successor. Since leaving office, Herbert has remained active in Utah public affairs, commenting on legislative priorities and policy matters.

Early Life

Gary Richard Herbert was born on May 7, 1947, in American Fork, Utah. He was raised in Utah County, a largely rural and suburban region south of Salt Lake City. Herbert grew up in a family rooted in the local community; his father later died of cancer, an event noted in Utah media coverage. His mother, Carol Boley Herbert, was also a lifelong resident of the area.

Herbert served in the United States Army as a member of the Utah Army National Guard, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant. His military service provided him with leadership experience that he would later draw upon in his political career.

Education

Herbert attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Details regarding his specific degree program and year of graduation are not extensively documented in available sources, though his attendance at the university is consistently noted in official biographical materials from the State of Utah.

Career

Utah County Commission (1990–2004)

Herbert's political career began in 1990 when he was appointed to a seat on the Utah County Commission, succeeding Brent Morris. He served on the commission for fourteen years, a period during which Utah County experienced significant population growth and economic development. As a county commissioner, Herbert dealt with issues related to land use, infrastructure, and county governance in one of Utah's fastest-growing regions.

Herbert's tenure on the county commission provided him with a foundation in local government operations and constituent services. He was eventually succeeded on the commission by Larry Ellertson. During his time as commissioner, Herbert also built a career in the private sector as a real estate developer and businessman, experience that would later inform his economic policy positions as governor.

2004 Gubernatorial Campaign and Lieutenant Governorship

In 2004, Herbert sought the Republican nomination for governor of Utah. Although he did not secure the top of the ticket, his campaign brought him statewide recognition within Republican Party circles. Herbert ultimately joined the ticket of fellow Republican candidate Jon Huntsman Jr., who selected him as his running mate for lieutenant governor. The Huntsman-Herbert ticket won the 2004 general election, and Herbert took office as the sixth lieutenant governor of Utah on January 3, 2005.

As lieutenant governor, Herbert served under Huntsman from 2005 to 2009. The lieutenant governor's office in Utah carries responsibilities that include overseeing elections, serving on various state boards, and standing ready to assume the governorship if necessary. Herbert succeeded Gayle McKeachnie in the position.

Governor of Utah (2009–2021)

Assumption of Office

On August 11, 2009, Herbert became the 17th governor of Utah following the resignation of Jon Huntsman Jr., who had been appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the United States Ambassador to China. The transition of power was orderly, and Herbert assumed the full duties of the office immediately upon Huntsman's departure. He appointed Greg Bell to serve as his lieutenant governor.

2010 Special Election

Herbert ran in a special gubernatorial election in 2010 to serve out the remainder of Huntsman's term. He faced Democratic nominee Peter Corroon, who was then serving as Salt Lake County Mayor. Herbert won the special election with approximately 64 percent of the vote, securing a mandate to continue governing in his own right. The decisive margin reflected Herbert's strength among Republican voters in a state that has historically leaned toward the Republican Party in statewide elections.

2012 and 2016 Elections

In 2012, Herbert ran for his first full four-year term as governor. He defeated Democratic businessman Peter Cooke with approximately 68 percent of the vote, an even larger margin than his 2010 victory. The result underscored Herbert's popularity among Utah voters and his ability to maintain broad support across the state's diverse political landscape.

Herbert won re-election to a second full four-year term in 2016, further cementing his position as one of the state's dominant political figures. Over the course of three successful statewide campaigns, Herbert demonstrated consistent appeal to Utah's electorate.

Economic and Policy Record

Throughout his time as governor, Herbert focused on economic development and job creation. He presided over a period of sustained economic growth in Utah, and his administration was associated with efforts to attract businesses to the state and maintain a favorable regulatory environment. Utah's economy grew considerably during his tenure, and the state frequently ranked among the top states for economic performance and job growth in national surveys.

Herbert's administration also dealt with a range of policy issues including public lands management, education funding, healthcare, and the state's relationship with the federal government on issues of particular concern to Western states. Utah's public lands policies, in particular, were a recurring theme during his governorship, as the state government frequently engaged with federal authorities over the management of vast tracts of federally owned land within Utah's borders.

National Governors Association

Herbert served as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) during the 2015–2016 cycle, succeeding John Hickenlooper of Colorado in the position. During his chairmanship, he was succeeded by Terry McAuliffe of Virginia. The NGA chairmanship is a prominent national platform for governors, providing an opportunity to set policy priorities and serve as a spokesperson for the collective interests of the nation's governors. Herbert's selection as chair reflected his standing among his peers in both parties.

Decision Not to Seek Re-election

In 2019, Herbert announced that he would not seek re-election to a third full term in the 2020 gubernatorial election. He endorsed his lieutenant governor, Spencer Cox, as his preferred successor. Cox went on to win the 2020 election and succeeded Herbert as governor on January 4, 2021.

Herbert's tenure as governor spanned eleven years and approximately five months, from August 11, 2009, to January 4, 2021. This made him both the longest-serving Republican governor in Utah's history and the second-longest-serving governor overall, surpassed only by Cal Rampton, a Democrat who served from 1965 to 1977.

Post-Governorship

Since leaving office, Herbert has remained engaged in Utah's public affairs. He has offered commentary on state legislative priorities and policy matters, appearing in media interviews and public forums. In early 2026, Herbert spoke publicly about the Utah legislative session, urging lawmakers to work together on key issues, including disputes related to Proposition 4 and other policy matters before the legislature.

Herbert has also appeared on the podcast Both Sides of the Aisle, hosted by Natalie Gochnour and Shireen Ghorbani, where he discussed his experience as governor and his perspectives on contemporary political issues.

In September 2025, Herbert commented publicly on the shooting incident involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, drawing on his experience as a former governor in addressing the tragedy.

Personal Life

Herbert married Jeanette Snelson, and the couple has six children. The Herbert family has been based in Utah County throughout his political career. Jeanette Herbert served as First Lady of Utah during her husband's governorship and was involved in literacy initiatives through the state's First Lady programs.

Herbert is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is the predominant religious denomination in Utah. His faith and community involvement have been consistent themes in his public life.

Recognition

Herbert's most prominent national recognition came through his selection as chair of the National Governors Association for the 2015–2016 cycle, a position that placed him among the most visible governors in the United States during that period. The chairmanship is awarded on a rotating basis and is considered one of the most prestigious positions available to a sitting governor.

During his time in office, Herbert received recognition for Utah's economic performance. The state was frequently cited in national rankings as one of the best-managed and fastest-growing state economies in the country, and Herbert's administration was credited with contributing to that economic environment through business-friendly policies and fiscal conservatism.

His tenure of more than eleven years as governor also earned him a place in Utah's political history as a figure of unusual longevity in the state's highest office. He is the longest-serving Republican governor in Utah's history and the second-longest-serving governor of any party, a distinction that reflects both his electoral success and the unusual circumstances by which he first assumed office.

Legacy

Herbert's legacy in Utah politics is defined primarily by his long tenure, his stewardship of the state's economy during a period of significant growth, and his role in shaping the Republican Party's dominance in Utah during the early 21st century. He assumed office during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and governed through a period of recovery and sustained expansion, with Utah's economy consistently outperforming national averages in key metrics such as job growth and unemployment.

His endorsement of Spencer Cox as his successor ensured a degree of continuity in the governor's office, as Cox had served as Herbert's lieutenant governor and shared many of his policy priorities. The smooth transition of power from Herbert to Cox was consistent with the orderly political culture that has characterized Utah governance.

Herbert's career trajectory — from county commissioner to lieutenant governor to governor — illustrated a traditional path through Republican politics in Utah, built on local government experience, party loyalty, and a pragmatic approach to governance. His willingness to serve in a supporting role as lieutenant governor before ascending to the top office demonstrated a patience and political discipline that distinguished his career.

As a former governor, Herbert has continued to participate in public discourse, offering his perspectives on state legislative matters and maintaining a visible presence in Utah's political landscape. His interventions on issues such as legislative cooperation and bipartisanship suggest an ongoing commitment to the principles of governance that defined his time in office.