Who’s in line to REPLACE Kevin McCarthy: The top Republican contenders to take the gavel after an unprecedented motion to scrap the vote
- There’s a wide open battle after a stunning 216-210 vote in the House of Representatives
- Fellow leaders Scalise, Emmer and Stefanik could run for office
- McCarthy could try to plot a return to power
The stunning ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sets up a succession battle, with no clear choice over who will take over the fractious Republican conference.
McCarthy faced the historic consequence of being the first Speaker of the House of Representatives to be impeached on Tuesday following a motion to vacate the gavel. For months, he struggled to satisfy members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and fund the government.
After an extraordinary vote of 216 to 210, the office of chairman was declared ‘vacant’ on Tuesday. That prompted a private, high-stakes meeting of the House Republican Conference. There are numerous options, both within and outside of McCarthy’s leadership team.
Among those who could succeed former Chairman McCarthy are members of his leadership team: from left, Tom Emmer, Elise Stefanik and Steve Scalise
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.)
Scalise has long been considered a potential speaker and a rival to McCarthy, even when he was a member of his leadership team and the top Republican vote counter. He announced in August that he had a form of blood cancer, multiple myeloma, and was receiving treatment.
Although he is not far removed from McCarthy ideologically, some conservatives who have lost confidence in McCarthy say they retain confidence in Scalise. Among them is Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who hastened McCarthy’s ouster.
“I’m not going to pass up Steve Scalise just because he has blood cancer,” Gaetz said on the eve of the election.
“I think the world belongs to Steve Scalise,” Gaetz said shortly after McCarthy finished speaking.
Majority Whip Steve Scalise gave an emphatic speech defending McCarthy before Tuesday’s vote
Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn)
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has also been mentioned as a possible successor to McCarthy.
He is the favorite of a group of far-right members who helped orchestrate the move to vacate the seat. Emmer, 62, previously led the House campaign arm, including in 2022 when Republicans took control but performed below expectations.
House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, RN.Y.
Stefanik is the highest elected woman in the Republican Party. She is among those who criticized Donald Trump in 2016 after the release of the infamous ‘Access Hollywood’ tape.
She also once criticized his proposed Muslim ban, calling it “not who we are as a country.” That was the prelude to a transformation in which Stefanik became a fierce Trump loyalist.
She lived up to that reputation when she ousted Trump nemesis, former Rep. Liz Cheney, as head of the Republican Conference.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) previously led the party’s campaign arm. He is the choice of some conservatives who ousted McCarthy
Representative Patrick McHenry (RNC)
Patrick McHenry (RN.C.), chairman of Financial Services, is a McCarthy adviser who helped him overcome hurdles to leadership during his January speaker’s race.
Once McCarthy was removed, McHenry was designated temporary speaker, or Speaker Pro Tem.
It is a ceremonial role in which he will help oversee the election of a new chairman, a role for which he is also named. He is chairman of the powerful Financial Services Committee.
The bespectacled Republican violently slammed down the gavel after his first action, sending the House of Representatives into recess, subject to the chairman’s call.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry is now Chairman Pro Tempore and will preside over the election of a new chairman
A number of additional names are already circulating. Among them is Louisiana Rep. Garrett Graves (R-La.), who advised McCarthy during his leadership struggles and chaired his Elected Leadership Committee. Another is House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who is highly regarded within the conference for his command of procedure and his even temper. He has advised several Republican speakers in the past.
Also mentioned is Trump loyalist Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a prominent black member of the Freedom Caucus. His name was nominated in January in competition with McCarthy.
A return to power by McCarthy himself is not a possibility. He passed reporters as he left the House chamber on Tuesday. He battled Gaetz in the lead-up to his ouster, telling his rivals to “bring it on.”