Utah Rep. Chaffetz announces uphill run for House speaker

WASHINGTON (KTRK) -- 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.

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."