| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Tim Miller |
| September 16, 2011 |
Governor Tom Ridge Endorses Jon Huntsman for President
Orlando – Governor Tom Ridge today endorsed Jon Huntsman for President at
St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. Governor Ridge
is the former Governor of Pennsylvania and our nation’s first Secretary
of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"Governor Huntsman is the only candidate with demonstrated success at
the state, national and international levels," said Ridge.
"Jon
has a proven record in creating jobs, strengthening America's
competitiveness and advancing our interests in a global economy. His
significant experience and statesmanship already signal ten times over
that he is ready to take on the complex challenges facing the country
and meet the demands of America's leadership with the rest of the
world. I am proud to endorse Governor Jon Huntsman to be the next
President of the United States."
"I am humbled to gain the support of one of our nation's most respected
public servants,” said Governor Huntsman. “As a businessman,
congressman, and twice-elected Republican governor, Tom
has been on the front lines of some of the most important issues facing
our nation and I’m proud to have the support of such an experienced
voice. As our nation's first Secretary of Homeland Security, Tom successfully mobilized our government’s efforts
to protect our families and loved ones from danger. I look forward to
working with him to spread our message of serious, bold solutions
across the country.”
Tom Ridge is president
and CEO of the international consulting firm Ridge
Global, headquartered in Washington, DC. He served as Assistant to the
President for Homeland Security from October 2001 through December 2002
and as the nation’s first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security from January 2003 through January 2005. Previously, he
was Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1995 through
October 2001 and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from
1983 through 1995.
A Vietnam combat veteran, Governor Ridge works
with multiple organizations to assist our nation’s veterans, serves as
chairman of the National Organization on Disability and co-chairs the
Flight 93 National Memorial. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University
and J.D. from Penn State University's Dickinson School of Law.
Governor Ridge’s endorsement follows the
recent announcement that Morgan Stanley executive chairman of the board
John Mack will serve as chairman of Governor Huntsman’s Business
Advisory Council. Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman of Nike,
Inc. was also announced as a member of the Governor’s Business Advisory
Council along with Gary Loveman and Tom Bell.