Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) has announced that he is supporting Mitt Romney for president. The twist to the story: Chaffetz previously served as chief of staff to Romney’s fellow candidate Jon Huntsman.
Chaffetz started out as a volunteer in Huntsman’s gubernatorial campaign in the 2004 cycle in Utah, quickly climbing the ladder to become communications director and then campaign manager. After the election, he served as Huntsman’s chief of staff, during the first 11 months of the administration, before leaving amicably in November 2005.
If it’s any consolation to Huntsman, Chaffetz is also saying that Huntsman “will be very formidable in the future,” the Los Angeles Times. He also said he told Huntsman of his decision last week.
“It was a little difficult,” said Chaffetz. “Jon Huntsman is a good man, but when your goal is to beat Barack Obama I just think Mitt Romney is in a much better position to do that. He’s laid this foundation for years. He’s got a wonderful organization, the ability to raise the type of money [needed]. And I just think he’s going to make a great president. I think we need that type business background to get our economy back in shape.”
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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