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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — For now, Josh Romney says he's focused on helping Utah's governor win re-election. But he admitted Monday that he's eyeing the office for himself in 2020.
Romney, son of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, told the Deseret News (http://bit.ly/1Z3iM58) that "running for governor in 2020 is definitely something I am strongly considering. What others do will not affect my decision-making process."
He said he's "been consistently asked by others to consider running for political office." The decision, he said, will come when the time is right and be "based on what the right thing to do is and the positive ideas and solutions I could offer for the future of Utah."
Right now, he's working on helping Gov. Gary Herbert win re-election in 2016 for what is expected to be a final term.
Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz is also taking "a serious, serious look" at running for governor in 2020.
That will be the year Chaffetz reaches the maximum six years as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He said he intends to return home to Utah at that time.
"I love Utah. That's where I want to be. This doesn't last forever. I get to meet and interact with a lot of neat people and do amazing things, but that's what the job does. It's not me," he said.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, another potential candidate in 2020, said it's too soon for Chaffetz to be talking about the race.
"I hope he doesn't bring the Washington, D.C., mentality of campaigning four and five years ahead of time for another job. That's something I don't think Utahns are ready for," Cox said.
"2020 is a long time away and a lot can happen."
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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com
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