Jason Chaffetz Announces His Run for House Speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) — GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah says he's running for House speaker in a longshot challenge to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California.

Chaffetz — chairman of the high-profile House Oversight and Government Reform Committee — says voters and the public want Republicans to fight. He says the current House leaders don't deserve an automatic promotion.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Chaffetz's candidacy underscores turmoil in the House GOP little more than a week after Speaker John Boehner's surprise resignation.

Chaffetz says McCarthy lacks the support to become speaker following a gaffe in which McCarthy suggested the purpose of the House's Benghazi committee is to drive down Hillary Rodham Clinton's poll numbers.

Chaffetz made the announcement on "Fox News Sunday."

Looking forward to being on @FoxNews @FoxNewsSunday on Sunday. Hope you can watch

— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse)

October 4, 2015

.@jasoninthehouse on #FNS: I want to win. I hope I win. I will support whoever the nominee is if it's not me.

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) October 4, 2015

.@jasoninthehouse I'm being recruited..I didn't just wake up last week and think of running...people have come up to me to tell me to run.

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday)

October 4, 2015

Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) @jasoninthehouse on #FNS -- I'm going to be myself..and i'm going to fight. You want a Speaker who speaks

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) October 4, 2015