Jon Huntsman Jr., who dropped out of the presidential race last month, said he’s exiting the political sphere for the near future.

“No politics for me,” Huntsman said in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune. “We gave it our best shot, and now we’re building the base once again in private life.”

However, he hasn’t ruled out a future bid.

“You never know — life is full of serendipity, and I have no idea what the years ahead hold,” he said. “But as for this cycle, we’re not going to be involved politically.”

Late last month, Huntsman replaced his father (the namesake of Wharton’s Jon M. Huntsman Hall) as chairman of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

“Jon comes to the Foundation with a wealth of leadership experience,” the elder Huntsman said in a statement. “His unparalleled international reputation and experience will greatly enhance the life-saving work in which the Foundation is engaged.”

Starting Feb. 1, Huntsman Jr. was also appointed a director on the Board of Directors of Huntsman Corporation, a global chemical company founded by Huntsman Sr.

Huntsman Sr. again touted his son’s “international and diplomatic experience” in a statement.

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