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When House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz announced in April that he would not seek reelection, speculation reigneddid the powerful Utah Republicanhave his eyes onanother office? Did he have a more lucrativeoffer? Was there a scandal no one knew about?

Certainly, Chaffetz has not closed the door on future political bids, including for Utah governor in 2020. His campaign site, jasoninthehouse.com, briefly redirected to jasonforgovernor.com (both have now beenshut down). And while hes been vague about his ambitions to return to office at some point, he was definitivethat his sudden exit was not prompted by scandal.Ive been given more enemas by more people over the last eight years than you can possibly imagine, Chaffetz told Politico.If they had something really scandalous, it wouldve come out a long, long time ago.

There is another possibility. According to two GOP lawmakers who have spoken to Chaffetz directly and four senior House Republican aides,Chaffetzhas been telling peoplehelltakeon what one source calls a substantial role in on-air talent at Fox News Channel, possibly as early asJuly, amplifying whispersthat Chaffetz will not finish out his current term.

Chaffetz, 50, has said onFacebookhemade a personal decision to return to the private sector. Some observers in Utahspeculatedthat he might join Fox News in some capacity. His announcement came the same day as the network revealedit would cut ties with Bill OReilly.

It is unclear what precise role Chaffetz may play at Fox, or if a deal hasin fact been finalized.Spokespeople for Fox declined to return multiple requestsfor comment.

Chaffetz was a frequent face on the network before and duringthe 2016 race, whether needling President Obama or assuring viewers that his committee had years of material prepared against Hillary Clinton should she succeed him.

Lets just say that when Jason told us he was headed to Fox,no one was surprised, says one senior House Republican aide.

Says aHouse Republican member close to Chaffetz: I know he was gunning for itFox was his first choice once he announced his plans not to seek reelection.

Hes probably one of the most media-capable members in the House, adds another senior House Republican aide,just based on total time spent on a television camera.

A spokesperson for Chaffetz declined to comment.

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Jason Chaffetz Has Been Telling Republicans He Will Join Fox News - Washingtonian.com