When Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) announced that he's running for speaker of the House, facing off against current majority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), many people were surprised that the four-term congressman would take on the GOP leadership that helped him rise through the ranks.
But they shouldn't have been that shocked. Chaffetz, 48, has gone through so many permutations over the course of his life that his name has morphed into a verb. "To Chaffetz" now means to turn on somebody who at one time was a mentor or supporter.
Advertisement
The list of parties, institutions and people Chaffetz has spurned is surprisingly long for such a young legislator. Email us if you or anyone you know has been Chaffetzed.
Darrell Issa
Associated Press
After assuming the chairmanship of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee earlier this year, Chaffetz made sure to take down a portrait of the previous chair, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.).
"I really felt strongly that in that committee room we should be inspired by those we serve, not inspired by past committee chairmen," Chaffetz said.
"Issa made Chaffetz," said a former committee staffer loyal to Issa. "He gave him a subcommittee ranking membership when he was a freshman -- virtually unheard of -- [then] made him a subcommittee chairman when we took the majority. He supported Chaffetz's push to play a prominent role in the Benghazi investigation. And how does Chaffetz repay him? By campaigning against Issa to become his successor and starting off his tenure as chairman by taking his portrait down."
"I really felt strongly that in that committee room we should be inspired by those we serve, not inspired by past committee chairmen," Chaffetz said.
"Issa made Chaffetz," said a former committee staffer loyal to Issa. "He gave him a subcommittee ranking membership when he was a freshman -- virtually unheard of -- [then] made him a subcommittee chairman when we took the majority. He supported Chaffetz's push to play a prominent role in the Benghazi investigation. And how does Chaffetz repay him? By campaigning against Issa to become his successor and starting off his tenure as chairman by taking his portrait down."
Kevin McCarthy
The Washington Post via Getty Images
Speaking of that chairmanship, it was McCarthy who intervened so that Chaffetz, despite a lack of seniority, could grab the gavel in the first place. He's now repaying McCarthy by running against him for speaker.
"He's very refreshing," McCarthy told Time magazine in January. "I would call him the new style of Republican chairman in the House. He’s going to break all the old molds."
"He's very refreshing," McCarthy told Time magazine in January. "I would call him the new style of Republican chairman in the House. He’s going to break all the old molds."
The Secret Service
Associated Press
Chaffetz at one point wanted to join the Secret Service, applying for a spot in 2003. And the agency probably wishes it had just given him the damn job. As a congressional investigator, he's become its leading antagonist, so much so that it plotted to leak damaging information about him.
Advertisement
The Chosen People
arinahabich via Getty Images
Chaffetz converted from Judaism to Mormonism as a young man.
Jon Huntsman
David Becker/Getty Images
Chaffetz once served as campaign manager and chief of staff to former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R), his big break into high-level politics. In 2011, he turned on Huntsman and endorsed his top rival, Mitt Romney, for president.
On Monday, Huntsman tweeted about his experience being Chaffetzed: "@GOPLeader McCarthy just got "Chaffetzed."Something I know a little something about. #selfpromoter #powerhungry."
On Monday, Huntsman tweeted about his experience being Chaffetzed: "@GOPLeader McCarthy just got "Chaffetzed."Something I know a little something about. #selfpromoter #powerhungry."
John Boehner
Associated Press
Chaffetz stripped tea party favorite Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) of a subcommittee chairmanship as part of a leadership-driven counter-insurgency. Conservatives freaked out, so Chaffetz gave him the spot back two weeks later without the approval of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
"Disgusting," said one Boehner ally.
"Disgusting," said one Boehner ally.
Advertisement
The Party Of FDR
XiaImages via Getty Images
Once a Jewish Democrat, Chaffetz is now a Mormon Republican.
Advertisement