Abby Huntsman made the somewhat surprising announcement on Monday that she is leaving “The View” to help work on her dad’s campaign for governor of Utah. Huntsman, who joined the show for its 22nd season in 2018, made the decision official with a statement release via PEOPLE Magazine.
“Family has always been my number one priority, and is where I need to be focused at this time,” the 33-year-old said in a statement on Monday. “We are incredibly close and are there to support and help each other when it matters. It’s not often there is a political campaign that involves someone you love and believe in, but this is one of them.
“I’m so thankful for this opportunity and for ABC believing in me,” she continued. “It was always a dream to sit at The View table. I have the deepest gratitude for all of my co-hosts and the team at The View who don’t get enough credit for what they do every day — I’ve learned so much from each of them and this will always be a special place to me.”
Huntsman hinted at potentially leaving the show with an Instagram post on Sunday in which she shared a photo with her dad and wrote, “Back to my Utah roots campaigning with this guy. Democracy in action.”
She addressed her decision on Monday’s pre-taped episode of “The View,” and didn’t rule out returning to the show after the election, saying “you never know.”
“I told my dad, if The View taught me anything, it taught me how to fight,” she said during the episode. “So whoever’s running against my dad, you better be worried!”
Shortly after the news was announced on Monday, the other conservative voice on the show, Meghan McCain, tweeted her well wishes for Huntsman.
“Wishing my amazing friend and co-host @HuntsmanAbby nothing but the best on her next chapter!” she wrote. “@TheView is less without you and your light. I wish you, your family, & your father @JonHuntsman’s campaign all the absolute best. He’s lucky to have you officially lead his team!”
