Chaffetz says speaker bid may be 'long shot,' Utah delegation has yet to declare support


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SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who said Monday his bid to become U.S. House speaker is a "long shot," may not have the support of the rest of Utah's congressional delegation.

"I would hope and expect our hometown folks would support us in this effort," Chaffetz said, calling backing from fellow Utah Republican Reps. Rob Bishop, Chris Stewart and Mia Love "most helpful and needed."

But the other Utah House members have yet to publicly endorse Chaffetz.

Stewart came the closest, describing Chaffetz as having a "unique set of political skills that would make a terrific speaker" in a statement issued shortly after Chaffetz formally announced he was running on "Fox News Sunday."

Love responded to a question Monday about whether she supported Chaffetz by saying he's a very good friend and a wonderful representative, but she's waiting to hear from voters in the 4th District.

"I'm not making any decision until I really get the people in my district telling me what they want me to do. It's not my decision; it's their decision," Love said. "I need to make sure I get their buy-in."

Love posted the question on her Facebook page Monday, asking, "What are your thoughts on who should be the next speaker?" Some 120 people had responded within three hours of the post.

> My colleague Rep. Jason Chaffetz has decided to enter the race for Speaker of the House. It's possible others may enter the race as well. What are your thoughts on who should be the next Speaker? > > Posted by [Rep. Mia B. Love](https://www.facebook.com/repmialove) on [Monday, October 5, 2015](https://www.facebook.com/repmialove/posts/445468215640842)


Bishop has not responded to several requests for comment.

Chaffetz is taking on House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the race to succeed House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, who recently made a surprise decision to step down from Congress at the end of the month.

For the past several days, Chaffetz has been scrambling for votes among House Republicans, scheduled to cast a secret ballot for a new speaker at a caucus meeting Thursday.

He told KSL Newsradio's Doug Wright on Monday he had talked "very briefly" to Stewart and Love, along with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, about his run. Chaffetz said he had not yet spoken with Bishop.

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"They've always been very supportive of me, but I'm spending time with people who don't know me as well," Chaffetz said before ending the interview to make more calls.

Later, Chaffetz told the Deseret News in a brief interview that while most Republicans have already committed their votes to McCarthy, no one would fault members of the Utah delegation for supporting one of their own.

McCarthy, who has been endorsed by Boehner, "would certainly be understanding," Chaffetz said.

But the Utahns have benefited under Boehner's leadership.

The state's delegation has been widely seen as "punching above its weight," with both Chaffetz and Bishop holding committee chairmanships while Stewart has a place on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Boehner was among the high-profile Republicans who came to Utah to help Love raise money for her unsuccessful 2012 campaign to unseat then Rep. Jim Matheson, a Democrat who chose not to seek re-election.

Love, elected the first black Republican woman in Congress in 2014, said in a statement she is "taking a deliberative and thoughtful approach to my decision for every leadership position" and will talk to all the candidates before choosing.

She also said she is pleased Chaffetz is in the race and that she "greatly" admires "his leadership skills and his service to our state."

Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, said Monday he's supporting Chaffetz's bid for speaker.

"I think there is an opportunity for one of Utah's own to shine. It is a very significant role," Herbert said. "Whatever the outcome, I think it puts Utah and speaker, maybe not speaker, Congressman Chaffetz in a better place, and that's good for the country."

Chaffetz, the governor said, has the credibility with both moderate and conservative House members necessary to bring them together "so we can get things done as Republicans."

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Herbert said he expects that the other members of Utah's delegation are "being careful and cautious" when it comes to taking a position on Chaffetz's campaign for speaker.

"They would know what the waters are back in Washington better than I," he said. "I just know that I'm behind it and support what he's doing. I'll let them make their own decision."

In a letter to his GOP colleagues, Chaffetz said there are already more than 50 Republicans who won't vote for a current House leader for speaker, making it "critically important" to unite behind a candidate who can win.

"I am confident I can bridge this divide and work effectively together with all members of our conference," Chaffetz said, also promising to stand up for "our core conservative principles" and push the Senate "to do their job and take votes, too."

He told KSL Newsradio that "it's a long shot bid, but I'm trying."

Politico reported Chaffetz declined to name any endorsement or supporters during a Washington news conference.

Rep. Dan Webster, D-Fla., is also running for speaker but is attracting little attention.

A Smart Politics report from the University of Minnesota noted that if Chaffetz succeeds, it would be only the fifth time for a House speaker and Senate president pro tempore served from the same state.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is currently the Senate president pro tempore. He is third in the line of presidential succession behind the vice president and the House speaker.

Contributing: Geoff Liesik

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