What is Jason Chaffetz's net worth and salary?
Jason Chaffetz is an American politician who has a net worth of $2 million. Jason Chaffetz rose to national prominence as a Republican congressman from Utah who made his mark through aggressive oversight investigations and media savvy. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, Chaffetz quickly ascended the ranks to become Chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where he led high-profile investigations into the Obama administration. Known for his tenacious questioning style and conservative principles, Chaffetz established himself as a formidable government watchdog. His investigations included the Benghazi attack, Hillary Clinton's email server, and alleged IRS targeting of conservative groups. Despite his rising influence, Chaffetz unexpectedly announced in 2017 that he would not seek reelection and resigned from Congress shortly thereafter. He pivoted to a career in media, becoming a Fox News contributor and host. Throughout his political career, Chaffetz was recognized for his effective communication skills, commitment to government accountability, and his ability to utilize social media and television appearances to amplify his message.
Financial Disclosures
In his final year serving in Congress (2017), Jason Chaffetz's financial disclosure reported an estimated net worth of around $500,000. OpenSecrets ranked him 266th out of 435 House members by wealth, underscoring that his finances were modest compared to many colleagues. His major assets were his personal residence in Alpine, Utah – valued in the mid-six figures – and a 529 college savings plan worth tens of thousands. He did not list significant stock holdings or business interests, so most of his wealth was tied up in his home. Chaffetz's only notable liability was a home mortgage loan of $250,000 to $500,000. He had no other real estate properties beyond that Utah house.
Salary
After resigning from Congress in June 2017, Chaffetz quickly leveraged his political profile into a media career, joining Fox News as a paid contributor on July 1, 2017. This move was partly driven by financial factors: he had openly complained that his $174,000 congressional salary was stretched thin by maintaining homes in both Utah and Washington, D.C. As a Fox News commentator, Chaffetz noted that his new paycheck was "attractive enough" that he "wouldn't need a housing allowance" to afford living near Capitol Hill.
He declined to disclose his Fox salary, but it was presumed to be a substantial increase over his Hill pay. Media analyses have revealed that Fox News contributor contracts often pay six-figure sums – averaging roughly $141,000 and sometimes reaching the high six figures annually. For example, in 2019 it was revealed that John Bolton was the highest paid Fox contributor, earning a salary of $570,000. Chaffetz's Fox compensation is likely in the middle of that range.
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Early Life and Education
Born on March 26, 1967, in Los Gatos, California, Chaffetz grew up in a family with diverse political backgrounds. His father was Jewish and had been married to Kitty Dukakis before she later married Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee. Chaffetz was raised in Arizona and California before attending Brigham Young University on a football scholarship, where he was the starting placekicker. During college, Chaffetz converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After graduating with a degree in communications, Chaffetz began his professional career in corporate communications and marketing. His formal entry into politics came through his role as campaign manager and chief of staff for former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.
Political Ascent
Chaffetz's political career began in earnest when he successfully challenged incumbent Republican Chris Cannon in Utah's 3rd congressional district in 2008. His campaign emphasized fiscal responsibility and conservative values, themes that would define his legislative career.
In Congress, Chaffetz quickly gained attention for his work on the House Oversight Committee. By 2014, he had risen to become the committee's chairman, a powerful position that allowed him to direct investigations into various government agencies and officials. His committee conducted extensive inquiries into the 2012 Benghazi attack, the Secret Service after security breaches at the White House, and various government spending issues.
Chaffetz was known for his media-savvy approach, frequently appearing on television news programs and leveraging social media to communicate directly with constituents and the broader public. This skill helped him gain national visibility beyond what might be expected for a representative from Utah.
Controversial Investigations and Legacy
As Oversight Chairman, Chaffetz led some of the most contentious investigations of the Obama era. His committee's probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State became a major issue during the 2016 presidential campaign. Critics accused him of partisan motivations, while supporters praised his commitment to government accountability.
After Donald Trump's election in 2016, many expected Chaffetz to continue his aggressive oversight role. However, he faced criticism from constituents for not investigating potential ethics issues in the Trump administration with the same vigor he had shown toward the Obama administration.
Chaffetz's legacy in Congress is mixed. Supporters credit him with bringing important issues of government accountability to light and standing firm on conservative principles. Critics argue that his investigations were often politically motivated and selectively targeted Democrats.
Post-Congressional Career
In a move that surprised many political observers, Chaffetz announced in April 2017 that he would not seek reelection and later confirmed he would resign from Congress before completing his term. He officially left office on June 30, 2017.
Shortly after leaving Congress, Chaffetz joined Fox News as a contributor and later became a host on the network. He also authored books about his experiences in Washington, including "The Deep State: How an Army of Bureaucrats Protected Barack Obama and Is Working to Destroy the Trump Agenda."
In his post-congressional career, Chaffetz has continued to advocate for conservative causes while building his media presence. His transition from congressman to media personality reflects the increasingly blurred lines between politics and media in contemporary American politics.
Real Estate
In 2004, Jason paid a little under $300,000 for a home in Alpine, Utah. Today this home is worth around $1.5 million.
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