New York (CNN Business) Abby Huntsman, who has co-hosted "The View" since 2018, announced on Monday that she was departing the popular ABC daytime talk show. The move came amid Huntsman's complaints about a troubled culture at the show and recent tensions between her and co-host Meghan McCain.

"This is always such a hard thing to do," Huntsman said at the top of Monday's episode of the show. "And especially this table because this is a really special table. The most iconic show I think on television and the smartest women that I've ever worked with. But today I'm saying goodbye."

Huntsman, whose last day will be Friday, said she wanted to join the gubernatorial race of her father, Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor who announced last November that he is running for the job again in 2020.

But behind the scenes, there was more to her surprise announcement. Half a dozen people who spoke to CNN Business described a toxic work environment, including a soured relationship between Huntsman and McCain. The dispute with McCain was just one factor in Huntsman's feeling that she should leave.

Both McCain and Huntsman declined to comment.

Read More