Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is not happy being a “regular Joe” after being historically ousted from his chair earlier this fall and is planning to leave Congress ahead of next year’s election, which will further diminish the Republicans’ thin majority in the chamber, according to a Wednesday report.
Sources told Axios that McCarthy is currently struggling with a decision on whether to stay or leave early, but that he is leaning toward the latter. If he decides to step aside, that could happen before January, sources said.
“I have another week or so to decide because if I decide to run again, I have to know in my heart I’m giving 110%,” McCarthy said during The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday, referring to California’s Dec. 8 filing deadline, Axios reported.
“I have to know that I want to do that. I also have to know if I’m going to walk away, that I’m going to be fine with walking away. And so I’m really taking this time now,” he added, per the outlet.
Axios noted further: “Speculation over McCarthy’s potential departure escalated ahead of the Thanksgiving recess, with multiple GOP sources noting he posted a photo on Instagram in which his district office appeared to be in the process of being packed. Multiple Republicans raised concerns that California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom could hold McCarthy’s seat open if he decides to resign in the new year. The GOP’s razor-thin majority is already on the verge of being diminished further by the potential expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) in a vote expected on Friday.”
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McCarthy’s potential decision to leave sooner rather than later follows his removal by all Democrats and eight Republicans earlier this fall, which left the chamber paralyzed with only an acting Speaker who lacked the authority to bring legislation to the floor for votes.
Eventually, House Republicans came together and elected Mike Johnson (R-La.) to replace McCarthy.
Some sources told Axios that McCarthy’s demotion isn’t sitting well with him after a years-long stint as the GOP leader and then as Speaker.
“The image in the rearview mirror is getting smaller by the day,” one lawmaker told the outlet regarding the California Republican’s waning influence over the conference. “I don’t think he’s having a good time being a regular Joe.”
“I can’t imagine that Kevin wants to stick around. I’ll support him with whatever he wants to do,” another GOP lawmaker told Axios, adding that he “decentralized power” and “did a lot of really good things he doesn’t get nearly enough credit for.”
“I mean, why the hell would he stay?” another said.
“I suspect the former speaker will return to spend more time with the people he’s always represented—on Wall Street and K Street. I don’t imagine he’ll be walking the streets of Bakersfield,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the GOP rebellion against McCarthy.
“Damn shame,” said another critic of McCarthy, who speculated that he would use his large campaign war chest against House Republicans who helped oust him.
“McCarthy’s seat is a Republican stronghold, but his potential exit could prove to be an issue for GOP leadership until a special election is held,” Axios reported.
McCarthy denied an earlier report that he was set to leave Congress early.
“No, I’m not resigning. I’m staying, so don’t worry,” he told reporters after Politico reported that “sources” said he would leave. “We’re going to keep the majority; I’m going to help the people I got here, and we’re going to expand it further.”
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