Utah GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is expected to announce Thursday his resignation from Congress before his term ends, according to a report.
Chaffetz already announced last month he wouldn’t run for re-election.
“After long consultation with my family and prayerful consideration, I have decided I will not be a candidate for any office in 2018,” Chaffetz wrote on Facebook. Reports have indicated Chaffetz could be taking a position with Fox News.
Utah State Sen. Deidre Henderson, a Republican and former Chaffetz aide, was expected to launch her bid for the congressman’s seat on Thursday.
She is considered the leading contender to succeed Chaffetz in the 3rd district.
Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Gary Herbert was planning Thursday afternoon to unveil rules for how the special election to choose would unfold. Utah law for special House elections is vague, and many political insiders in the state have been unsure about the process.
Herbert could get pushback from the GOP-controlled legislature. Republicans there are expected to try and put their stamp on the regulations governing the special election.
David Drucker contributed to this report
