Being "elected as team," Herbert said, means that voters expect that he is not replacing Huntsman so much as taking over for him. He doubted that the state would "miss a beat during the transition," even if there are some policy issues Herbert and Huntsman do not agree on.

"There won't be any radical changes, to the left or right," he said. "We are going to have a steady hand at the helm."

Among those differences are disagreements between the two on a couple of top-shelf issues: global warming and civil unions. While Huntsman has really been a lone wolf on civil unions in his party, and there haven't been any major policy decisions about gay rights for Herbert to address, there are some significant things happening with global warming policies.

At the top of the list may be the Western Climate Initiative, which Huntsman signed onto with other Western governors. It addresses global warming through — among other things — cap-and-trade rules for the industry.

"The global warming debate is interesting, but it's really about clean air and clean water, which most everyone agrees on," he said. Going forward, he said that "we can have energy development in a environmentally friendly way."

As a longtime elected official in the state, Herbert has also built trust among legislators and should have a strong working relationship — something Huntsman, at times, did not. The executive and legislative branches battled on budget issues annually, generally finding common ground only a few days before the end of a session, and many GOP legislators were very critical of Huntsman's environmental and social positions.

Despite those conflicts, legislative leaders had a solid relationship with the Huntsman and Herbert team, said House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara. Even this year, when there were serious disputes about whether Huntsman should have called a special session in December to address the economic problems, "we ended up with a good working relationship with the executive branch."

House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, hoped for a continued open relationship with the new governor.

"During the Huntsman/Herbert administration the minority party enjoyed unprecedented access and open communication with the governors office," he said in a statement. "We look forward to this continuing with Gov. Herbert as we work together to address issues important to Utahns."

While Herbert may be looking forward to his governorship, he is also looking fondly back on his time as Huntsman's backup. After all, he's "always been respectful of my opinion." Plus, they are friends outside of the Capitol, and their families get along well, which "is something you don't see in politics all of the time."

As for Huntsman's appointment, Herbert said he received a call Friday from the governor that things were going to be changing.

While he was surprised, he did not question the intelligence of the decision.

"I thought he would go in a different direction," Herbert said. "But he is uniquely qualified for this position. I applaud President Obama for this selection."

Contributing: Lisa Riley Roche

E-MAIL: jloftin@desnews.com

Gary Herbert

Age: 62

Born: American Fork

Home: Orem

Profession: Realtor

Political experience: 16 years as Utah County Commissioner, 4-plus years as lieutenant governor.

Wife: Jeanette

Children: Six, three boys and three girls.

Education: Attended Brigham Young University, but did not graduate.

Military: Utah National Guard 1970-76