McCarthy Will NOT Run for Speaker Again

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)  announced that he will not run for the office again during a Republican conference meeting on Tuesday, according to Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman.

McCarthy was ejected from his position in a historic vote late Tuesday afternoon when a small number of Republicans joined the entirety of the Democratic caucus to oust him.

BREAKING NEWS — KEVIN MCCARTHY will not run for speaker again.

He is about to make the announcement in closed GOP meeting

w @bresreports

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 3, 2023

The effort was led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who also helped organize the opposition to McCarthy’s ascension to the speakership in January, which resulted in a 15-round, multi-day marathon voting session to elect the California Republican.

Per Sherman, McCarthy announced his decision to his colleagues on Tuesday night, expressing his gratitude to those who stuck with him and calling himself the luckiest man on Earth.

It’s unclear who will succeed McCarthy, but Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) have all been floated as replacements.

Republicans will reportedly hold a forum for those seeking the top spot in the House next Tuesday with the aim of electing a new speaker the next day.

This is a developing story and will be updated.