House

Jason Chaffetz planning to take on role at Fox News: report

by Rebecca Savransky - 05/14/17 11:20 AM ET

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) is reportedly telling House Republicans he is planning to take on a role on Fox News.

The Utah Republican, who announced in April he would not seek reelection in 2018, may have plans to take on a “substantial role” on air at Fox News, Washingtonian reported.

The report cited two GOP lawmakers and four senior House Republican aides who have knowledge of Chaffetz’s plans.

The role could start as early as July, according to the publication.

“Let’s just say that when Jason told us he was headed to Fox, no one was surprised,” one senior House Republican aide said.

A House Republican member close to Chaffetz said he was “gunning for it.”

“Fox was his first choice once he announced his plans,” the House Republican member said.

“He’s probably one of the most media-capable members in the House,” another senior House Republican aide said, “just based on total time spent on a television camera.”

In a surprise decision in April, Chaffetz announced he would not seek reelection. He said in a Facebook post that he made the decision after “long consultation” with his family and “prayerful consideration.”

Still, he noted he “may run again for public office, but not in 2018.”

Tags Jason Chaffetz