Chaffetz will not run for office in 2018

[Homerboy]

https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexislevi...-re-election?utm_term=.cgyMBPqWq8#.yj3YQavmv8


Won't run for Congress... but will serious look for Governor in 2020

Rep. Jason Chaffetz will not seek re-election in 2018, two sources who have been informed of his decision told BuzzFeed on Wednesday morning.

Chaffetz later confirmed in a statement on Facebook that he will "will not be a candidate for any office in 2018."

"Since late 2003 I have been fully engaged with politics as a campaign manager, a chief of staff, a candidate and as a Member of Congress. I have long advocated public service should be for a limited time and not a lifetime or full career. Many of you have heard me advocate, 'Get in, serve, and get out.' After more than 1,500 nights away from my home, it is time. I may run again for public office, but not in 2018," he said.

Chaffetz said he was confident he "would continue to be re-elected by large margins," and there were "no ulterior motives" behind his decision. But Chaffetz has said that he's interested in taking a "serious look" running for governor in 2020.

The Utah Republican was first elected in 2008 to represent Utah’s 3rd District.

As chairman the House Oversight Committee, Chaffetz has drawn attention and criticism for his handling of conflicts of interest investigation into Hillary Clinton and potential investigations into President Donald Trump. Some of that criticism bubbled over in recent months, with angry constituents lambasting Chaffetz at a packed town hall over the February recess.

A spokesperson for Chaffetz did not immediately return a request for comment.

 

[vi edit]

I think he's pissed away his support, and he knows that. He won't get elected as governor.

 

[Homerboy]

I think he's pissed away his support, and he knows that. He won't get elected as governor.

Well the good news is that if he did run for Gov. and miraculously won, he really could only fuck over the fine people of Utah.

 

[vi edit]

Matheson could heavily contest in Utah. He's a Democrat by designation only and leans very right on most hot topic issues. He also does not have the negative stigma that Chaffetz has right now.

 

[Pens1566]

Several possibilities on his motivation :

1a) He sees his credibility is shot based on town halls, AHCA, etc, and knows re-election isn't happening so he's hoping short term memory applies to his constituents in his quest to be governor.
1b) He sees a wave in 2018 based on public backlash to the admin and is getting out while the getting is good. Same memory loss concept applies to this one.
2) Something is brewing in a non-electoral manner and he's distancing himself politically.

Given this news and some rather odd reports yesterday (Ernst, etc,), I'm leaning towards 1b or 2. This isn't just about him, and some of the Rs that were out stating things like Trump should release his taxes and some of the other statements they were making point towards a larger distancing effort.

 

[ivwshane]

Good! Fuck that guy! I'm sure he'll end up with a nice, high paying, lobbying job.

 

[theeedude]

Him being governor of Utah is a problem contained to Utah.

 

[HomerJS]

I remember when the Access Hollywood tape broke Chaffetz withdrew his support for Trump stating he had a young daughter and just could not endorse.

Well once he changed his mind wonder how that conversation with his daughter went...

"Well honey just get used to strange men fingering you. It ain't that bad. Sometimes you have to suck it up to get ahead"

 

[vi edit]

I remember when the Access Hollywood tape broke Chaffetz withdrew his support for Trump stating he had a young daughter and just could not endorse.

Well once he changed his mind wonder how that conversation with his daughter went...

"Well honey just get used to strange men fingering you. It ain't that bad. Sometimes you have to suck it up to get ahead"

Once he changed his mind??? It was like 12 days later that he flopped on that statement. That's pretty quick amnesia, even for a Republican.

 

[Balt]

I doubt he was worried about his own seat, but he probably doesn't like the idea of being in the minority party in the house after 2018 and losing his chairmanship.

Probably spend a few years making serious bank as a lobbyist or consultant and then run for something else.

 

[thraashman]

Leaving Congress is the first patriotic thing this man has ever done.

 

[m8d]

Curious if he has knowledge about Trump investigation and is jumping ship before it all crumbles.

 

[UNCjigga]

So do the new "revolving door" lobbying rules apply to members of Congress, or only to the Executive Branch? This guy just can't wait to be a corporate shill...

 

[jackstar7]

At his town hall people told him to do his job. His response is to quit.

 

[Pens1566]

At his town hall people told him to do his job. His response it to quit.

Well, he can not investigate the current admin just as well from the private sector. Seems like he took their advice.

 

[Jhhnn]

Good! Fuck that guy! I'm sure he'll end up with a nice, high paying, lobbying job.

I figure he's eyeing a presidential run down the road & executive experience as Governor can put a shine on any turd...

 

[Pens1566]

I figure he's eyeing a presidential run down the road & executive experience as Governor can put a shine on any turd...

He supposedly reserved a couple of 2028 related domains. Delusional.

 

[Pens1566]

KSL radio (Utah) is now reporting that he might not finish his term. Wonder why?

 

[vi edit]

KSL radio (Utah) is now reporting that he might not finish his term. Wonder why?

I'm hearing that too. That's a bellweather for some bad shit coming down the pike for these hucksters.

 

[vi edit]

I'm reading there's some news going to break about a multi year affair he was having. Now he'll have to worry about both his wife and daughter looking him in the eye.

 

[Phokus]

Let me guess, Russians have kompromat on Chaffetz... calling it now

 

[zinfamous]

Once he changed his mind??? It was like 12 days later that he flopped on that statement. That's pretty quick amnesia, even for a Republican.

I wonder if women will ever get sick of being the "because I have a daughter..." scapegoats for disgusting pig men that somehow require the lens of fatherhood/spousehood to defend what are actual simple, obvious moral standards?

It's really quite fascinating. I think such people have a strong faith/belief structure in their lives: they probably would be murderous, rapey, criminal animals if it were not for their faith that their god alone prevented them from doing these things...and that is actually what they think of all the other humans that aren't as weak as they are? It's strange, but it truly explains the vast majority of faith-based conservative thought.

 

[Pens1566]

My guess is it's legal related, not personal life.

 

[K1052]

Congressmen rarely resign unless they have imminent personal or legal trouble heading towards them.

 

[woolfe9998]

What I'm reading in NYT and elsewhere is that Chaffetz had relished his role of constantly investigating the Obama administration and was really looking forward to investigating Clinton for 4 years. Turns out Trump being elected was the worst thing that could have happened to him. All the sudden he had to either start investigating his own party or else be lambasted for not doing so. It seems that being a Congressman just isn't any fun for Chaffetz any more.

Good riddance.