The three most important decisions in a politician’s life, says Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, are a spouse, a running mate and a chief of staff.
In Herbert’s case, those three people are Utah’s first lady, Jeanette Herbert, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and Justin Harding, a southern Utah native with a relatively small public profile compared with his outsize influence and authority over state government.
“He is the supercop directing traffic,” Herbert says of Harding. “It’s a really challenging job, it’s not easy. But it is the most important staff member, obviously, that I have.”
One part strategist and adviser, one part spokesperson and one part substitute principal, Harding manages the governor’s executive office and staff, coordinates the Cabinet and stands as proxy for Herbert in formal government business.