Justin Harding

Justin Harding served as chief of staff for Governor Gary Herbert from June 2014 until the end of Herbert’s term in January 2021. He then became senior advisor to Governor Spencer J. Cox.

In February 2021, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that Harding had been called to preside over the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. Harding and his wife, Bridget, will begin their service in July 2021. They are the parents of six children.

Harding was born in Cedar City, Utah. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern Utah University and then took a position in Rep. Jim Hansen’s office. He became a legislative assistant with Rep. Rob Bishop in 2003 and served as his legislative director from 2005 to 2008. He became chief of staff for Rep. Jason Chaffetz in 2009.

Harding served in the Church as a missionary in the New York Rochester Mission, stake missionary, ward mission leader, ward Young Men president, Sunday School teacher, elders quorum presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward executive secretary, assistant ward clerk.