Herbert worried lawmakers eying Congress may ‘game system’

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert says he doesn’t want to call the Legislature into a special session to settle how Utah would fill a vacant congressional seat because a number of legislators are interested in replacing Rep. Jason Chaffetz if the congressman leaves office early.
Chaffetz, who announced last week that he would not seek re-election next year, said it’s possible he may resign before his term ends after 2018.
Utah law says if there’s a vacant U.S. House seat, the governor will call a special election. The law doesn’t spell out how quickly that must happen or offer more details.
Herbert told The Salt Lake Tribune he thinks the current law offers enough direction and he’s worried about legislators with ambitions for higher office who might “game the system” if they start adjusting the law.