Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R., Utah), the influential chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has confirmed that he will not be seeking reelection in 2018.
The news broke Wednesday when sources close to Chaffetz told BuzzFeed News of his decision.
Chaffetz was first elected to Utah's third congressional district in 2008. He was elected chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee after just 3 terms in 2014.
Chaffetz released statement on Facebook confirming his decision.
"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 went on to dismiss any speculation that he was stepping down for ulterior motives, saying it was a personal decision to return to the private sector.
"For those that would speculate otherwise, let me be clear that I have no ulterior motives. I am healthy. I am confident I would continue to be reelected by large margins. I have the full support of Speaker Ryan to continue as chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee," he wrote.