The Hill News

Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr. played up his record on abortion Friday during a speech before a conservative audience at the Faith and Freedom Conference.

Huntsman is considering a run for the White House, but many observers question whether his centrist reputation â€" and his service in the Obama administration as ambassador to China â€" might alienate Republican primary voters.

Huntsman seemed to address those concerns head on during the speech, noting that he "signed every pro-life bill" that came to his desk as governor. 

"I signed the bill that made second trimester abortions illegal and increased the penalty for doing so," Huntsman said. "I signed the bill to allow women to know the pain an abortion causes an unborn child. I signed the bill requiring parental permission for abortion. I signed the bill that would trigger the ban on abortions in Utah."

"You see, I do not believe the Republican party should focus o! nly on our economic life to the neglect of our human life," Huntsman continued. "That is a trade we should not make. If Republicans ignore life, the deficit that we would face is much more destructive."

Huntsman has said he plans to make a decision about a presidential run in a matter of weeks.