Ogden Standard-Examiner

Pro-voucher ad features Gov. Huntsman

October 23, 2007

The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Voucher supporters aired a new TV ad Monday starring Gov. Jon Huntsman, who signed the program into law but has been reluctant to campaign hard in favor of public aid for private schools.
The ad, by Parents for Choice in Education, shows footage of Huntsman talking about vouchers at a news conference last week.
“I will be voting for Referendum One,” Huntsman said in the ad.
He doesn’t directly ask voters to join him, but talks about what he believes are the benefits of vouchers, including help for low-income families.
Voters on Nov. 6 will decide whether to keep or kill the law, which would give $500 to $3,000 for each child choosing private school over public school. Most kids already in private schools would not be eligible.
The ad was built around Huntsman’s public comments. He didn’t help make it, said Robyn Bagley, co-chair of the pro-voucher group.
Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
“I think this will absolutely help,” Bagley said. “It’s not just that the governor supports it, but to hear the reasons coming from the governor’s mouth.”