Mitt Romney asks long-time Mormon colleague Kenneth Hutchins to offer prayer at Republican National Convention
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, stands with his sons, from left to right, Josh, Tagg, and Craig, as he watches results for the Florida primary election in the "War Room" at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.
Associated Press
Mitt Romney has asked Kenneth Hutchins, a Mormon colleague and a retired Massachusetts police chief, to give the invocation on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Hutchins, born and raised in Walpole, Mass., served as a counselor to Romney when Romney was an LDS stake president in Boston.
When Romney ran for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, Hutchins succeeded Romney as president of the Boston Massachusetts Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served until 2003, when he was called to be a mission president for the LDS Church in Tampa, Florida. His service as a stake president coincided with his stint as chief of the Northborough Police Department, a post he held from 1980 to 2003.
Hutchins, 71 and retired, is battling cancer and just completed a round of chemotherapy. He had not been out of his pajamas for three days when he received a call at home from Mitt's son, Tagg, on Monday morning.
"What are you doing right now?" Tagg asked.
"I'm not feeling very well," Hutchins told him. "But I'm cheered up hearing your voice."
"I'm going to cheer you up even more," Tagg Romney said, "because my dad would like you to give the opening prayer on the closing night of the convention down in Tampa."
Hutchins was stunned. Tagg Romney told him that Catholics, Muslims and various other faiths at the convention would offer prayers and his father also wanted Mormon prayer. He specifically asked for Ken.
In an exclusive interview today, Hutchins said he is feeling stronger and looking forward to being in Tampa. "This is an honor," he said.
Jeff Benedict, the author of "The Mormon Way of Doing Business," had an exclusive interview with Kenneth Hutchins Wednesday. More details from that interview will be posted to our site in the coming hours. Benedict's website is www.jeffbenedict.com.
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@ Red Corvette. Why yes, it would be so much better if hired campaign staff called Mitt's dear friend to invite him to pray at the convention. That would so improve the campaign. /sarcasm
We should be appreciative of the good news that this brings and not that someone was killed, murdered or raped. That is what yellow journalism is and this is great news that prayer is still part of our society, especially in Utah. God gave us More..
I knew Ken Hutchins for many years when my wife and I lived in Boston. He is an excellent choice, and am excited to see him at the convention next week. Was saddened to hear about his cancer though. Best of luck President Hutchins!