Ambitious Utah Republicans were eying a run for Congress Wednesday following the surprise retirement of Rep. Jason Chaffetz.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman said in a Facebook post that he would not seek re-election in 2018. Republican sources in Utah said that party insiders believe he retired so that he could prepare to run for governor in 2020.
Chaffetz's seat, stretching from the Salt Lake City area south and east, could attract a host of Republicans. The 3rd District is reliably Republican, and an easy stepping stone to Washington for whomever emerges from the GOP primary.
"For years I've gotten questions about running when Jason steps away. I didn't expect to have to make this decision so soon," state Sen. Deidre Henderson said in an email exchange with the Washington Examiner.
Henderson is a former Chaffetz aide and is actively mulling a bid to replace him. "I am overwhelmed by the volume of support and encouragement I have received since this morning's announcement. It's something my family and I are seriously considering," she said.
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05.02.2024