SANDY, Utah (AP) – As Utah Republicans met for their annual state convention Saturday, the party faithful both gave Rep. Jason Chaffetz a warm send-off and occasionally expressed disappointment at his abrupt departure from Congress and key role investigating the White House.
Chaffetz, known for his hard-charging investigations of Hillary Clinton and his frequent appearances on cable news, announced Thursday that he was resigning June 30, just as his committee was poised to investigate President Donald Trump’s firing of FBI director James Comey.
The five-term, 50-year-old congressman described the decision as a reaction to a mid-life crisis and desire to spend more time with his family.
The move shocked political junkies in Washington, where Chaffetz’s profile was soaring, but also those back in Utah like Dianne Carr.
A retired registered dietitian from Springville, Utah, Carr just voted Chaffetz into a new term in last November and said his early departure was “a little inappropriate.”