WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman won't participate in a June debate in New Hampshire.
Huntsman's advisers on Friday said he will not take part in the event scheduled for June 13 in Manchester. Huntsman strategist Paul Collins says Huntsman won't compete in debates until he formally announces his intentions. He says that won't happen before the CNN/ WMUR-TV/ New Hampshire Union Leader debate.
Huntsman, who served in three Republican presidents' administrations before becoming President Barack Obama's ambassador to China, is laying the groundwork for a presidential bid. Last week, he spent five days in New Hampshire.
The former business executive plans to be in the state the weekend before the debates but won't join his potential rivals on stage at Saint Anslem College.
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