Chaffetz Backs Romney Over Former Boss

The Hill reports:

Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) on Tuesday for president over his onetime boss, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R). 

Chaffetz, the conservative congressman who's considering a Senate run, picked Romney over Huntsman, both contestants in what's been informally described as the "Mormon Primary." (Both men practice the Mormon religion.) 

"I want to beat Barack Obama. Mitt Romney's in the best position to do that," Chaffetz said in a phone interview. "Jon Huntsman's been very good to me. He'll be very formidable now and in the future. He's a good man, but I think Mitt Romney is uniquely situated to beat Barack Obama."

Chaffetz had served as Huntsman's chief of staff before departing to run an ultimately-successful primary race to run for the House. While most of Utah's GOP establishment has backed Romney, there had been some thought that Chaffetz might bolt for Huntsman because of their close relationship.