WEST VALLEY CITY — GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman Jr. roared in for a campaign stop at a motorcycle dealer after leading a group of fellow enthusiasts on a ride from downtown Salt Lake.
Jim Turner, an accountant from Cottonwood Heights wearing a bandana wrapped around his head and a gay rights bracelet on his wrist, was among the riders — and among the fans of the former Utah governor who recently served as U.S. ambassador to China.
"For the primary, I'll probably be a Republican," said Turner, a Democrat. Huntsman's appeal, he said, is his "broad spectrum of experience. His open-mindedness is far beyond the political mud that's going on right now."
University of Utah political science student Ben Patton, an intern on Huntsman's first campaign for governor in 2004, said he's considering casting his first vote in a presidential race next year for Huntsman.
"These aren't typical people who'd be involved in politics," Patton said, nodding at the leather-clad bikers. "I like how he brings everybody together."
Huntsman climbed off his motorcycle and stepped into the crowd of several dozen supporters gathered in the parking lot of Plaza Cycle on a hot afternoon for the candidate's first public appearance in Utah as a presidential contender.
He spent time shaking hands and posing for pictures before going inside to deliver a speech. Huntsman said his campaign is "carrying you with us because the ideas that we're talking about in how this country is going to be made great again" came from Utah.
And he took the opportunity to point out his own super motocross bike on display. A mention of an endorsement from a motorcyclist drew an appreciative, "That's awesome" from one of the bikers.
Huntsman, who was accompanied by his wife, Mary Kaye, and three of his seven children, is spending the rest of the weekend here with family before heading to California.
On Friday, he toured a downtown advertising agency, held a press conference and met with key donors at his family's Deer Valley home. He also started seeking support from governors attending the National Governors Association meeting going on through Sunday.
Huntsman sat down with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad Saturday at the Grand America Hotel where the NGA is meeting. Branstad had told the Deseret News that Huntsman's plan to skip Iowa's caucus, the first votes cast in the presidential race, was a "stupid mistake."
Branstad said his message was the same, but Huntsman said they had "a good conversation" regardless. He said he assured Iowa's GOP governor there was "never a slight intended."
Instead, Huntsman said, he explained that his campaign is focused on New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida because of limited resources.
"You've got to measure carefully where you can best make an impact," Huntsman said. Still, he said, "you never say never."
Huntsman said he also met with several other governors, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a potential rival in the GOP race. Christie has refused to talk to media while he's in Utah. Huntsman said only, "he's great," when asked how their talk went.
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