Utahns unsure of incoming governor

Utahns still aren't sure what to think of their incoming governor and lieutenant governor, according to a new poll.

While 50 percent of residents surveyed statewide said they approve of soon-to-be Gov. Gary Herbert's job performance, 41 percent didn't know whether they liked what he's doing in office or not.

And 58 percent of respondents said they didn't know whether they approved or disapproved of Herbert's choice to be his No. 2, Senate Majority Assistant Whip Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights.

"Given the circumstance, I think that's exactly what's to be expected," said University of Utah professor Matthew Burbank, chairman of the political science department. "Lieutenant governors are not that visible."

Herbert's transition director, Jason Perry, agreed.

"Unless something goes wrong, people generally don't know all the work that is done by the lieutenant governor," Perry said. "As the people get to know them, understand their commitment, their work ethic and their values, those numbers will start to increase in terms of positives."

The poll, conducted for the Deseret News/KSL-TV by Dan Jones & Associates, asked the question about Herbert of 402 Utahns Monday through Wednesday with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

The question about Bell, who was named by Herbert on Wednesday, was asked only on that day. With 214 Utahns responding to that question, the margin of error is plus or minus 7 percent.

Bell said he wasn't surprised by the results.

"The goal isn't to get me to be a household name," he said. "I'm here to help Gov. Herbert. He's getting better known all the time and as people get to know him, they're going to be impressed."

Perry said Utahns will know Bell, too.

"Lt. Gov. Herbert is going to use Sen. Bell in a significant way in his administration," Perry said. "People are going to see the face of the lieutenant governor more with this administration."

The pair are facing a special election next year for the remainder of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s term and a regular election in 2012. Huntsman will resign as governor as soon as the U.S. Senate confirms his nomination by President Barack Obama as ambassador to China.

Herbert is set to be inaugurated at noon Tuesday in a ceremony in the state Capitol Rotunda, assuming the U.S. Senate votes on Huntsman before recessing Friday.

Bell, though, will have to wait to be sworn in as lieutenant governor until he is confirmed by the state Senate. That is expected to take place during the Legislature's next interim day, on Aug. 19.

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