Huntsman Jr. is the next governor of Utah

Jon Huntsman Jr. looked a little dazed Tuesday night as he hurried into a room of cheering Republicans, eager to hear his first speech as the state's governor-elect.

"Jubilant," he answered when a group of reporters asked him how he felt after beating Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. "Honored and humbled. And a little scared." He promised his supporters he would "give it his all" as the "next governor of the greatest state in America."

Shortly after his victory speech at the Hilton Hotel downtown, Huntsman greeted Matheson in the hotel lobby with a hug. Matheson said in an interview he was disappointed but proud of a campaign considered one of the least contentious in Utah history.

Huntsman credited hard work for his decisive victory and his "intense focus on a message that I think was a very important one for the state" — economic development. He, too, expressed pride in running a "high-road, hopeful, optimistic, issues-oriented" campaign.

Now, Huntsman said, he's "going to put together a team that is next to none" to run the state. "We're going to listen carefully . . . for ideas that will make us a better, more effective state."

This was billed as the battle between the juniors — Huntsman, the son of a billionaire philanthropist, and Matheson, whose late father left office 20 years ago as the state's last Democratic governor.

Jon Huntsman Sr. was emotional Tuesday night as he stood with his son. "He's going to be a great leader," the elder Huntsman said, adding he and his wife, Karen, "are deeply honored the people of Utah would have the confidence, hope and love in a son we love so very dearly."

Huntsman, an executive in the family business, served in three presidential administrations, including as the U.S. ambassador to Singapore. Matheson, a Rhodes Scholar, was U.S. attorney for Utah and is dean of the University of Utah law school.

Their race will be remembered as one of the most congenial in Utah history. Both candidates pledged early to remain positive no matter what, and they often complimented each other on the campaign trail.

Huntsman focused on economic development throughout the campaign, pledging to change the name on his office door from governor to economic development czar if elected. Matheson made education his top priority.

Few differences between the two men surfaced, even during their eight debates. Sometimes it was hard to tell them apart, with Huntsman touting how economic development would improve education; and Matheson, how better schools would attract new business.