This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
At least three of Utah's four House members — including one-time speaker candidate Jason Chaffetz — supported Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., for the body's top job during a closed-door meeting Wednesday. While Ryan only scored 199 of his voting colleagues' support, Chaffetz said he will easily surpass the 218 votes needed Thursday to make him speaker.
"I have no doubt," Chaffetz said. "I view this sort of like a primary. Some people may have voted for Daniel Webster, but now that Paul Ryan is the nominee, they'll support him."
Some 43 Republicans backed Webster in Wednesday's caucus meeting.
Chaffetz, meanwhile, says he has no regrets in making his short-lived bid for speaker, noting that he ran initially because Paul wasn't in the race.
"I think he'll be an exceptional speaker," Chaffetz said.
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, likewise praised Ryan as the best choice to unite the GOP caucus.
"While we may not agree on everything, I believe that Mr. Ryan is best prepared to move us beyond the recent gridlock in our conference and help us effectively promote our conservative agenda," Stewart said in a statement.
Rep. Mia Love told KSL's Doug Wright that she voted for Ryan. Rep. Rob Bishop's spokesman, Lee Lonsberry, said he couldn't comment on Bishop's vote.
— Thomas Burr