Jason Chaffetz Biography
Jason Chaffetz is a former American politician who served Utah’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 until he stepped down in 2017. While in Congress, he took the reins as chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2015 to 2017, where he led various investigations into government officials and federal agencies.
Chaffetz really made headlines in 2015 for his inquiries into Hillary Clinton, especially concerning her use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state. In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, he initially pulled his endorsement of Donald Trump in early October but later suggested he would still vote for the Republican candidate. After Trump won the election, Chaffetz faced some backlash for how he handled congressional oversight, particularly his hesitance to investigate potential conflicts of interest involving Trump and his campaign team.
In April 2017, Chaffetz declared he wouldn’t run for reelection and officially resigned from Congress in June of that year, midway through his fifth term. Since leaving office, he has transitioned into a role as a political commentator, contributing to Fox News and writing books. In 2021, he became part of the Government Accountability Institute, a conservative research group dedicated to promoting government accountability and public affairs.
Jason Chaffetz Education
Jason Chaffetz’s educational journey began at Middle Park High School in Granby, Colorado. After that, he took a big step by enrolling at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, thanks to an athletic scholarship. There, he showcased his skills as a placekicker on the college football team and eventually earned a starting position.
In 1989, Chaffetz proudly graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. His time in school, both academically and athletically, helped him hone valuable communication and leadership skills that would later serve him well in his business and political endeavors. Before making his mark in Congress, he gained experience in corporate communications and played key roles as campaign manager and chief of staff for Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.
Jason Chaffetz Age
Jason Chaffetz was born on March 26, 1967, in Los Gatos, California. That makes him 59 years old as of October 2026.
Jason Chaffetz Parents
Jason Chaffetz’s parents are John A. Chaffetz and Kitty Dukakis. Kitty was previously married to Jason’s biological father before tying the knot with Michael Dukakis, who is known for being the former governor of Massachusetts and the Democratic presidential nominee in 1988.
The family background has drawn public attention, especially due to Jason’s ties to the Dukakis family, even as he carved out a name for himself as a notable Republican politician. Tragically, his mother passed away in 1995 after a courageous battle with cancer, an experience that deeply impacted him and shaped his commitment to supporting cancer research and treatment initiatives.
Jason Chaffetz Nationality
Jason Chaffetz is proudly American. He was born in Los Gatos, California, and served as the representative for Utah’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 2009 until June 2017.
Jason Chaffetz Ethnicity
Chaffetz has a rich family background that includes Jewish heritage from his biological father. His family ties have occasionally drawn attention, especially due to his connection with the Dukakis family.
Although he was raised in the Jewish faith, Chaffetz made a significant shift when he converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while studying at Brigham Young University. This change in faith and his active role in Republican politics have become key elements of his personal narrative.
Is Jason Chaffetz a Mormon?
Absolutely! Jason Chaffetz is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormon Church. He embraced this faith during his time at Brigham Young University in Utah.
His religious affiliation has played a significant role in shaping his public persona, especially since he represented Utah, a state with a large Latter-day Saint community. Prior to his conversion, he was raised Jewish.
Jason Chaffetz Height
Standing at about 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters), This stature also served him well during his college football days at Brigham Young University, where he played as a placekicker.
Jason Chaffetz Wife
Jason Chaffetz is happily married to Julie Johnson. The two met in Arizona while he was attending Brigham Young University and tied the knot on February 22, 1991.
Julie has been a steadfast supporter of her husband’s journey through business, politics, and television. When he announced his resignation in 2017, Chaffetz reflected on the difficulties of being away from his wife and family for long stretches while working in Washington, D.C.
Their marriage has flourished for over thirty years, and together they have three wonderful children.
Jason Chaffetz Children
Jason Chaffetz and his wife, Julie, are proud parents of three children. Despite Chaffetz’s prominent political career, the family tends to keep their lives fairly private.
When he announced his decision to step away from Congress in 2017, Chaffetz shared that being away from his family for long stretches had become increasingly tough. He revealed that he had spent over 1,500 nights away from home during his congressional tenure.
As his kids were growing up—two of whom had even tied the knot around the time he made his resignation announcement—he felt a strong pull to spend more quality time with them. This desire to be more present with his family was a significant factor in his choice to leave public office.
Jason Chaffetz Fox News
After resigning, Jason Chaffetz joined Fox News Channel as a contributor in July 2017. In this role, he provides political insights across various programs on both Fox News and Fox Business Network.
Before making the leap to media, Chaffetz chaired the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2015 to 2017. He gained considerable attention for his involvement in high-profile congressional investigations related to Hillary Clinton, the Benghazi incident, and various federal agencies.
At Fox, he leverages his government experience to delve into topics like elections, congressional matters, public policy, and the actions of political leaders in the U.S. He’s also authored political books, including titles like The Deep State and Power Grab.
Jason Chaffetz Salary at Fox
As for Jason Chaffetz’s salary at Fox, the exact figure hasn’t been publicly disclosed. While Fox News announced his role as a contributor in June 2017, they didn’t reveal how much he would be earning.
Prior to his departure from Congress, Chaffetz was making the standard congressional salary of $174,000. While some estimates suggest that seasoned political contributors can earn six-figure salaries, there’s no concrete information on what Chaffetz actually makes.
Why Did Jason Chaffetz Resign?
Jason Chaffetz stepped down from Congress on June 30, 2017, while serving his fifth term for Utah’s 3rd congressional district.
In April 2017, he announced that he wouldn’t be running for reelection and later confirmed his resignation date in May. He shared that he wanted to dedicate more time to his wife and kids after years of constant travel and long stretches away from home.
Chaffetz also mentioned financial factors. Juggling a home in Utah while spending most of the year in Washington, D.C., had become quite challenging, especially as his children were hitting significant milestones. He viewed his decision as a chance to regain some balance in his personal life.
His resignation came just before he took on a new role as a contributor for Fox News. This shift allowed him to stay engaged in political discussions without the grueling schedule that comes with being an elected official.
Maria Bartiromo
Maria Bartiromo‘s exit from Fox News became intertwined with Jason Chaffetz’s new role when the network announced on September 3, 2026, that he would take over hosting Sunday Morning Futures the very next Sunday. This news broke on the same day Fox confirmed that Bartiromo was no longer part of their team.
Initially, Chaffetz’s role was framed as a temporary hosting gig while Fox searched for a permanent replacement. Given his background as a former congressman and political commentator, he was already a well-known figure among the network’s viewers.
Bartiromo’s departure marked the end of her 12-and-a-half-year tenure with Fox News Media, while Chaffetz continued to contribute as a Fox News commentator and host of his podcast, Jason in the House.
Jason Chaffetz Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jason Chaffetz’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. Keep in mind that this is an estimate from a third party and not an official statement of his current financial situation.
