Jon Huntsman campaign would be based in Orlando

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman will base his presidential campaign in Orlando, Florida, if he enters the race, an aide to Huntsman confirmed to CBS News.

The Huntsman campaign-in-waiting sees Florida as a key state in deciding the Republican presidential nominee - it's where John McCain effectively won the nomination in 2008 - as well as in the general election, where it is expected to be a key swing state. In addition, the GOP nominating convention will be held in Tampa.

Huntsman's wife Mary Kaye Huntsman grew up in Orlando, and the aide noted that she still has family and friends in the area.

Huntsman, who resigned as U.S. ambassador to China last month, is widely expected to enter the presidential race. A social moderate as governor, he is one of a number of GOP contenders scheduled to address a social conservative conference - the Faith and Freedom Conference and Strategy Briefing - on June 3.

Huntsman settled in Washington upon returning from Beijing. But basing his campaign based in the nation's capitol would have had little upside. And basing it in Utah would have put it far away geographically from three key early voting states: Florida, South Carolina and New Hampshire.

Huntsman has already given a commencement address in South Carolina, and he begins a five-day swing through New Hampshire tomorrow.