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Chaffetz Expected to Announce Re-Election Plans Wednesday

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), a freshman adept at drawing media attention, has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday afternoon in Utah to “make an announcement about his future political plans.—

According to a late afternoon report in the Deseret News, party officials expect him to announce he will seek re-election to the House. Chaffetz was somewhat coy about his announcement but told the newspaper: “I suspect that you won’t find it to be too surprising.—

“From what I understand … he’s announcing his re-election plans for the House,— Utah County Republican Party Taylor Oldroyd said in an interview Tuesday night.

Some conservative activists have promoted Chaffetz as a potential primary challenger to Sen. Bob Bennett (R). But Bennett has drawn several GOP challengers already — including Mike Lee, a prominent lawyer from Chaffetz’s hometown — and a story this week in the Deseret News seems to point to Chaffetz running for re-election in a safe House district rather than waging a risky campaign for Senate.

“I’m having the time of my life— after one year in the House, Chaffetz told the newspaper for an article that also appears on Chaffetz’s House Web site. Chaffetz didn’t rule out the possibility of running for the Senate, but said “I’m happy if I never run for the Senate. I can have influence in the House.—

Chaffetz is will make his announcement at a press conference at 3:30 Eastern Time in West Valley City, the largest city in the heavily Republican 3rd district, which also includes Provo and Orem.

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