05/07/2026
Happy 79th birthday to former Governor Gary R. Herbert! He served as Utah’s lieutenant governor beginning in 2005, then in 2009 upon Governor Huntsman’s resignation to serve as a U.S. ambassador, Herbert became Utah’s 17th governor. He was re-elected in 2012 and again in 2016, serving until 2021.
While in office, Governor Herbert bolstered Utah’s economy by streamlining regulations and improving government efficiency, leading the nation in growth and diversification. He addressed key social issues by increasing education funding and launching air quality initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his decisive shift to remote learning and strategic business reopening resulted in low mortality and a rapid economic recovery.
Portrait painted by Leon Parson of Provo, Utah.