Abby Huntsman Abruptly Exits 'The View'

 ABC News’ “The View” co-host Abby Huntsman is exiting the popular daytime talk show, with her last day scheduled for Friday, The NY Post is reporting.

Abby Huntsman

“This is always such a hard thing to do… but today I’m saying goodbye,” Huntsman said to open Monday’s show. “My No. 1 priority has always been my family.”

She said she will instead be helping her father, Jon Huntsman Jr., campaign for governor of Utah.

Fox News obtained a memo that the show’s executive producers sent to staff on Monday.

“We have some bittersweet news to share. Abby Huntsman is leaving ‘The View’ to help run her father’s campaign for Governor of Utah and to spend more time with her young family. As you will see in her note below, she made the tough decision to move on over the holiday break,” producers wrote.

“From the moment Abby joined us a year and a half ago, we knew how important her big family is to her. Isabel charmed us each time she came to the show and we shared Abby’s journey as she welcomed her twins, William and Ruby. Her dedication to family is what is launching Abby’s next exciting chapter. When your father asks you to help run your campaign, it’s a hard one to say no to,” the producers added. “We thank Abby for her unique, intelligent, insightful and relatable voice that she brought to the show both in front of and behind the camera. We will truly miss her and her great spirit professionally and personally.”

Huntsman also sent a note to staffers, saying her time on the “iconic” show needed to come to an end in order to support her father.

News of Huntsman's departure came amidst tabloid reports of a fractured and dysfunctional group of hosts that includes Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and conservative firebrand Meghan McCain.