Huntsman's 'major announcement' is Jeb Bush Jr. endorsement

An anticipated “major announcement” Wednesday by former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman’s (R) campaign is an endorsement by Jeb Bush Jr.

While speculation had swirled that it would be former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush Sr. (R) who would announce an endorsement today in the Miami area, it’s the former governor’s son, who had joined Huntsman on a tour of Florida in late June.

“I am confident that Jon’s vision will appeal to young voters, who are concerned about the trillions of dollars in debt being piled on their backs, and who desperately seek jobs and economic opportunity,” the younger Bush said in a statement released by the Huntsman campaign. 

The endorsement could give Huntsman an advantage in Florida, a state that the former ambassador to China has targeted in the primary cycle, and where he has headquartered his campaign.

The endorsement could also boost Huntsman with Hispanic voters, and give him some sense of having the imprimatur of the Bush clan, though Jeb Bush Sr. has yet to endorse him, and former President George W. Bush has suggested he would not back a candidate in the Republican primary.

Still, it’s not clear whether the Bush endorsement will be enough to give Huntsman the boost in the polls he’s sought after failing to gain much traction since the June launch of his campaign. Bush will serve as national chairman of an initiative called “GenH,” the campaign’s youth and young professionals outreach program.

“I respect the other candidates,” Bush said. “But in a time of such global upheaval and strife, America needs a serious, experienced leader to restore America’s promise, and that leader is Jon Huntsman.”