Battleground Republicans have announced their intention to support Kevin McCarthy for speakership in January’s voting session. They have made it clear that they will not sign off on any consensus candidate.
A total of 15 House Republicans added their signatures to a Thursday letter to colleagues declaring their support for McCarthy as speaker of the new Republican-led House. The lawmakers, many of whom were elected in states won by President Biden in 2020, say they will not countenance a consensus candidate.
The voting session is expected to become protracted, as five GOP house members say they will not support McCarthy’s candidacy to speakership. They are enough to block the 218 votes needed for his confirmation. Given that McCarthy’s supporters will only engage in ballot casting, every vote is essential.
In the letter, the members expressed concern over concessions McCarthy has made to rule changes. They fear the concessions will lead to more Democrat control. Nonetheless, the members agreed to support McCarthy’s concessions, if they help him become speaker.
Most lawmakers who signed the letter are previously unknown freshmen. Others include veterans such as Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and David Valadao (R-CA). McCarthy also received the written support of California Reps. Michelle Steel and Young Kim who won in difficult districts for two cycles now.
The new House is set to start its work on Jan. 3.