Gov. Olene Walker supports any candidate whose name is followed by an R, but do not wait for endorsements of candidates whose last names begin with H, S, B or C.

Since losing in the Republican convention this spring, Walker has been hesitant to openly support any candidates, especially in the gubernatorial race. During her monthly KUED news conference Thursday, the governor again refused to specifically endorse high-profile Republican candidates such as Jon Huntsman Jr., John Swallow, Rob Bishop, Bob Bennett or Chris Cannon, although she did say she still strongly supports her party.

"I'm a Republican, and believe in Republican principles," Walker said. "But I want to spend my time being the best governor I can. We've got a lot of initiatives that are important and that I would like to get in place."

During the primary race between Huntsman and Nolan Karras, Walker remained officially neutral, although there were indications that she supported Karras. For example, she asked her convention supporters to list Karras second on the preferential ballot, and during the primary campaign, Karras created the Olene Walker Scholarship Fund with the governor's approval.

With Huntsman now the party nominee, the expected step for Walker would be to endorse him, although it's a step she's unwilling to take. At the same time, she also is not giving any indication that she is supporting Democratic nominee Scott Matheson, despite her gratitude for the support he gave her child literacy initiative in his education plan.

"I'm seeing signs of success with things like the reading program around the state," she said. "I'm excited that candidates are supportive of those programs."

Huntsman campaign manager Jason Chaffetz said that they are not concerned about the lack of a formal endorsement from Walker, primarily because she has been very willing to work with Huntsman. He also said that he expects them to have plenty of appearances together, such as the joint welcome this past week of Vice President Dick Cheney.

"She's been very supportive and very open," he said. "We've got a good working relationship . . . Utahns are independent in their thinking. Endorsements mean something, but not that much."

Representatives of Matheson said they are letting Walker's nonendorsement of a candidate stand on its own merits.

"We are letting the governor's comments speak for themselves," spokeswoman Kate Fielder said.

Deseret Morning News columnist and political consultant LaVarr Webb said that while an endorsement is not something which will sway many voters toward a candidate, it is puzzling to Republicans that Walker has not endorsed the party's governor nominee. He did not think that many people would interpret her lack of a formal endorsement as support for Matheson, however.

"I think it's odd, and I've heard a lot of Republicans who don't understand why she's taking that position," Webb said. "Normally, the top elected officials are kind of the ceremonial heads of the party, and it's customary for them to rally behind the party's candidates."

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com