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Rep. Jason Chaffetz announces he won't seek re-election
House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to the House of Representatives in 2018. "After more than 1,500 nights away from my home, it is time. I may run again for public office, but not in 2018,” Chaffetz wrote. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Jason Chaffetz announces he won't seek re-election

In a Facebook post Wednesday, Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced that he will not seek re-election in 2018.

Chaffetz’s post confirmed a Buzzfeed report earlier Wednesday that he will step down at the end of his current term.

In the post, Chaffetz wrote that serving in Congress “is an honor and a privilege that I have never taken for granted.”

“After long consultation with my family and prayerful consideration, I have decided I will not be a candidate for any office in 2018,” he wrote.

Chaffetz, 50, wrote that he has been in politics since 2003 and that he doesn’t think politics should be a “lifetime or full career.”

“Many of you have heard me advocate, ‘Get in, serve, and get out.’ After more than 1,500 nights away from my home, it is time. I may run again for public office, but not in 2018,” Chaffetz wrote.

He added that he has “no ulterior motives” in his decision:

I am healthy. I am confident I would continue to be re-elected by large margins. I have the full support of Speaker [Paul] 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.

Chaffetz wrote that he is announcing his decision early in his current term in order “to give prospective candidates time to lay the groundwork for a successful run.”

“I have no doubt the 3rd Congressional District will be represented by a Republican. I trust you to find the best person to serve,” he said.

See the full post below:

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