No. 1 priority: fulfilling job as No. 2 in state

Utah didn't have a lieutenant governor until the state constitution was changed in 1980 to create the position in place of the secretary of state. The lieutenant governor assumed only the secretary of state's election-related duties — plus whatever the governor wants done.

For Herbert, that will be a portfolio that includes issues related to transportation, public lands, water and rural Utah. "What I'm doing is giving Gary a big chunk of the issues that are going to be central to our success over the next four to eight years," Huntsman said.

The governor-elect said Herbert's assignments go well beyond the traditional workload given to a lieutenant governor.

"Gary is a unique talent," Huntsman said, citing his running mate's "deep experience" and ability to get along with everyone on the campaign trail.

There can be problems with taking on too much, though.

Oveson, who headed the state administrative services department during his first year as lieutenant governor, said it was sometimes difficult to shift his focus to the rest of state government.

"It was my suggestion," Oveson said of becoming a department head. "It was also my suggestion to end it."

McKeachnie said he has focused on being available to serve as a sounding board for the governor rather than, in his words, being relegated to running a department or taking on special projects.

"That's where the action is. If you want to be where the action is, you can't be a threat or be in competition with the governor," he said. "I feel good that I got to be involved in the top level decisions."

McKeachnie said he can see his mark on a number of the governor's programs, including her just-announced plan to reform the state's tax structure. "It's amazing what you can get done if you don't worry about who gets the credit," he said. "I have that satisfaction."

He considers himself a member of the governor's staff — his business cards read, "Office of the Governor" and his recorded telephone message tells callers that's the office they've reached.

Walker understands what it's like to be lieutenant governor, McKeachnie said. "For years she stood in the shadows, in the background, and Gov. Leavitt was on the front lines. . . . So I think she has involved me a little more."

Herbert's role is likely to be a combination of that filled by his predecessors. He'll have specific areas of responsibility, but he also expects to be Huntsman's chief adviser, just as Vice President Dick Cheney Vice President Cheney is for President Bush.

"Together, we make a pretty good team" Herbert said. "I think Jon means to make (the lieutenant governor's job) more relevant and more meaningful, and have the taxpayers kind of get two for the price of one."

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