Jon Huntsman, Jr., arrives at his campaign party during the Republican primary election Tuesday, June 22, 2004, in Salt Lake City. Huntsman is opposing Nolan Karras to be the GOP's gubernatorial candidate. Douglas C. Pizac/AP A White House official says former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is President Donald Trump's choice to be the next U.S. ambassador to Russia.

Huntsman will be nominated for the diplomatic post as senior members of Trump's administration face questions about their contacts with the Russian government.

The White House official spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of a formal announcement.

Huntsman served as the ambassador to China during the Obama administration and speaks Mandarin. He had been considering a Senate run in 2018, a decision that would depend on whether Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, runs again.

Huntsman in October called on Trump to drop out of the presidential race after the release of a recording on which Trump bragged about groping women.