Photo by Alex Wong/Getty.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty.

House Oversight Committee Chair Jason Chaffetz announced on Wednesday that he would not run for reelection in 2018, surprising and delighting many people in D.C. who’ve tired of his meddling in District policy.

But it turns 2018 might be too far away for the Utah Republican to keep sleeping in his Capitol Hill office, scarfing down Five Guys, and acting like he represents Washingtonians.

“My future plans are not yet finalized but I haven’t ruled out the possibility of leaving early,” he told The Wall Street Journal today. “In the meantime, I still have a job to do and I have no plans to take my foot off the gas.“

Why, exactly, Chaffetz wants out is a question yet to be answered. Salon has a list of potential reasons, including boredom and eyeing the governor’s mansion.

In announcement, Chaffetz preemptively denied some possibilities. “I have no ulterior motives,” he wrote. “I am healthy. I am confident I would continue to be re-elected by large margins. I have the full support of Speaker Ryan to continue as Chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. That said, I have made a personal decision to return to the private sector.”

So how soon can we expect to see his back? Chaffetz also repudiated speculation that he’d be gone by Friday, telling Alex Moe of NBC “No. Absolutely not true,” in response to that rumor.

Already, Utah politicians are gearing up for a special election. The chairman of the Utah Republican Party told the Wall Street Journal that “we are preparing in case he steps down before his term ends.”

Before D.C. residents rejoice too much, though, remember that our lack of statehood means we’re still at the whim of whoever replaces Chaffetz. As Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen said, Chaffetz leaving “”doesn’t change the bigger picture—another congressional representative from somewhere else in America will assume the committee chair and have the same ability to interfere with locally passed laws by locally elected representatives.”

And, given that the House is Republican-led, those people are likely to be just as unfriendly towards District autonomy. Washingtonian has a good run-down of potential new heads of House Oversight, like Freedom Caucus-er Jim Jordan of Ohio.

In addition to why and when Chaffetz is stepping down and who will replace him, there’s another unresolved issue at play here.

Previously
Boy, Bye: Jason Chaffetz Is Not Running For Reelection In 2018
Hundreds Of Washingtonians Plot To Keep Meddlesome Congress’s ‘Hands Off D.C.’
It’s Not Just Us: Utahns Yell At Jason Chaffetz During Town Hall
Utahn Pledges To Block D.C.’s ‘Death With Dignity’ Law
House Committee Votes To Block D.C. Non-Discrimination Law
Chaffetz Wants Same-Sex Marriage Vote

Filed Under: jason chaffetz, meanwhile in utah, meanwhile on capitol hill,