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SALT LAKE CITY -- Soon-to-be governor Gary Herbert is still deciding who to pick as his lieutenant governor and running mate for 2010. Some political circles are mentioning Mitt Romney's son, Josh Romney, as a potential pick.
Josh Romney, 33, tells the Deseret News he isn't actively campaigning to be Utah's lieutenant governor under Gary Herbert. But he says if offered the job he would give it serious consideration.
BYU political science professor Kelly Patterson said, "That kind of ticket would provide a great deal of excitement amongst a certain segment of voters. It comes with a certain amount of appeal."
He says potentially picking Josh Romney would come with some liabilities -- mainly a lack of political experience -- for the person that would be the next in line for the governor's chair. It would, however, bring good name recognition to the ticket, Patterson said.
Herbert is in line to assume the governor's post assuming current Gov. Jon Huntsman is confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to China. President Barack Obama nominated Huntsman to that post last month.
Romney told the Deseret News he and Herbert have talked several times since then, but the lieutenant governor's position was not discussed.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
