Kevin McCarthy Pulls Out Of House Speaker’s Race

McCarthy had been heavily favored to be nominated by his fellow Republicans, but Thursday’s secret ballot – even if it had proceeded as expected – still would have been merely an early skirmish in the chaotic battle to lead the House.

In several closed-door meetings this week, McCarthy told them he would not be like Boehner, some lawmakers said afterward, but few seem to have found this convincing. On the eve of Thursday’s vote they announced they would oppose Boehner’s No.2, McCarthy, and back one of his rivals instead, Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida, a former speaker of the Florida House.

Speaking after the surprising meeting, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., declined to say why McCarthy might have made the sudden switch. He also said he believes McCarthy would continue to serve in his current position.

McCarthy was criticized for his recent comments on the congressional committee investigating Benghazi, bragging that it had been successful in driving down Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers.

The House GOP tweeted that leadership elections would be held now at a later date. “I think we’re all in shock”. It was to have been followed by the vote in the full House where the Freedom Caucus could have blocked McCarthy’s ascent.

In January, he received 12 votes as part of a failed attempt by a few conservatives to oust Boehner from the job at that time.

The government is facing a number of critical deadlines that will need a functioning House.

“As speaker of the House, I would commit to serving you by promoting principle over power, by making you successful by telling you the truth and by earning the right to be heard, not demanding it”, Webster said in the video. He has been majority leader since August 2014.

Webster and his wife, Sandy, have six children and 10 grandchildren.