THE View host Abby Huntsman announced she will be leaving the show to help run her father Jon Hunstman Jr.’s campaign for Utah governor.

She took a moment during the show to make the announcement and said her last day would be Friday, January 17.

7

Abby made the announcement todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
She said: “Today, I’m saying goodbye. Something that I thought a lot about. And I’m so thankful for this opportunity.

“I was asked by my dad to come help run the campaign and I said ‘No, right now’s not the right time.’ But there’s no one I believe in more right now than my dad to run for politics.

“It’s going to be a fast race and so, I couldn’t be more excited to help someone that I love.”

7

Abby said she will be focusing on her dad’s campaignCredit: ABC
She also told PEOPLE in a statement: “Family has always been my number one priority, and is where I need to be focused at this time.

“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.”

When asked if she would return if her dad won, she said: “That’s a good question. This was my first job and I never thought I would be sitting at this table.”

However, she left the question unanswered.

She proceeded to thank the staff, her co-hosts, and the viewers for “believing in her.”

7

The ladies from The View all supoported her decisionCredit: Getty – Contributor

7

Meghan McCain expressed her support for Abby’s decisionCredit: ABC
After the announcement, cohost Meghan McCain – the daughter of late Senator John McCain – expressed her support for Abby.

She said: “You’ve been a friend forever and I’m heartbroken that you’re leaving. but I can understand better than anyone how important it is to go support your dad.

“The best moments of my life were with my dad, doing the same thing. I’m so proud of you and I do hope you come back after the primary but you’ll have to make the choice on your own.”

Her kind words came days after Page Six’s report the former friends were feuding after an explosive fight.

7

Abby and Meghan had a recent falling out in the showCredit: Getty – Contributor
Last week, Meghan reportedly lost the support of her fellow conservative cohost.

An insider said: “They aren’t speaking to each other. It’s been about a month. None of the ladies talk to Meghan now. Abby was the last woman standing. It’s bad. Meghan’s so rude.”

Another added: “Abby tolerates Meghan, but she doesn’t genuinely like her. Their friendship has soured.”

Discussing ex-national security adviser John Bolton, who is willing to testify in President Trump’s impeachment hearing, Abby said: “I think he ultimately has a conscience.

“He’s someone that I think would be speaking [about] what he thinks is right, not what politically he believes or doesn’t believe.”

Meghan replied: “The idea that he went home and grew a conscience… Maybe I’ve been in politics too long.”

But Abby hit back, saying: “Well, I’ve also been in politics. It’s my upbringing too, and a lot of people have been around politics or know politics, whether you have family or not.

“This show is about opinions.”

7

Abby has always been close to her familyCredit: Abby Huntsman/Twitter
Abby had been giving hints on social media of her departure after posting a picture with her dad on Instagram.

She spent this past weekend with her family in Utah to help with the race.

She wrote: “Back to my Utah roots campaigning with this guy. Democracy in action.”

7

Abby’s father is hoping to win the governor race once moreCredit: Getty – Contributor
Jon Huntsman Jr. is one of the five GOP candidates for governor of Utah.

From 2005 to 2009, Huntsman was Governor of Utah and subsequently the ambassador to China. He accepted a position as Ambassador to Russia in 2017.

Hunstman also ran as a candidate in the 2012 presidential race but withdrew after the New Hampshire Republican primary.

Got a story? email [email protected]