Utah’s U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced today he will not seek re-election to his House seat or pursue any political office next year.
The announcement came as a shock to many, but it leaves his options open to run for governor in 2020.
Chaffetz posted on Facebook that he plans to return to the private sector, ending the speculation that he may challenge longtime Senator Orrin Hatch.
Chaffetz told KSL Radio that his top priority with his time left in congress is to get President Donald Trump to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument designation signed during the Obama administration.
Chaffetz currently heads the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and has come under fire for not digging into conflict of interest concerns about President Trump or Russia’s efforts to meddle in the election.