Politico: Chaffetz Prepares Long-shot Bid for House Speaker

At Politico, Rachael Blade and John Bresnahan report that Rep. Jason Chaffetz may enter the race to replace John Boehner as House Speaker.

House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz is planning to run for House speaker, taking on Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in what appears to be a long-shot bid to lead House Republicans, according to multiple sources.

The Utah Republican, first elected to Congress in 2008, is launching a campaign less than a week before the Oct. 8 leadership elections for the House GOP Conference. The date for a floor vote to pick the next speaker has not been set yet.

McCarthy (R-Calif.) is the overwhelming favorite to win, and it’s unclear how many votes Chaffetz can garner.

Chaffetz’s office would not comment.

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