Rep. Jason Chaffetz is reportedly launching a last-minute bid to succeed John Boehner as House Speaker.
Politico reports Chaffetz's bid comes less than a week before the elections on October 8. California Republican Kevin McCarthy is the overwhelming favorite to become the next Speaker.
The last-minute move by the fourth-term lawmaker underscores frustration among some members of the Republican Conference with the current choices to lead the conference after Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) leaves at the end of the month. Boehner announced last week he is resigning effective Oct. 30 amid growing discontentment among conservatives with his decisions on major policy questions, including government funding, the Ex-Im Bank and boosting the debt ceiling. All of those issues confront Republicans this fall.
Chaffetz scolded McCarthy this week to apologize for suggesting the House's investigation into the Benghazi scandal was politically motivated to hurt Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
Chaffetz's office would not comment to Politico on the story.
