Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has announced his resignation from Congress. McCarthy will step down at the end of 2023 and he will not seek reelection in 2024 during the General Election. California Governor Gavin Newsom reportedly has a 70 to 90-day time window in which to call a special election to replace the vacated House seat. This could result in the seat sitting vacant for up to five months. Another election will still take place in November as usual for that same seat.
This news comes on the heels of New York GOP House Rep George Santos being expelled from the House after allegations of ethics and possibly criminal violations related to finances. Another GOP Rep, Bill Johnson of Ohio, is stepping down in January to become Youngstown State University’s new president. The position will pay Johnson $410,000 annually compared to the $174,000 salary he makes now. All of the recent resignations and oustings happening in the GOP as of late will shrink their House majority down to just two seats, at least temporarily.
The news of McCarthy’s resignation comes as no surprise to political observers. He was removed as Speaker of the House by a small minority of the GOP who collaborated with all House Democrats. His presence in the House was becoming a distraction to some within the party, especially after the appointment of the new Speaker, Mike Johnson. It was clear that he no longer wished to be in Congress. McCarthy would have become even more of a distraction if he simply did not file to run again which would have happened in the next couple of days. The best decision for him to make, considering the circumstances, was to step down.
SOURCES:
Kevin McCarthy on the Future of the Republican Party | DealBook Summit 2023 – YouTube
Kevin McCarthy to resign from Congress at end of December
Former House speaker Kevin McCarthy announces he’s leaving Congress
Kevin McCarthy resigning from Congress after being ousted as House speaker – ABC News
Kevin McCarthy to leave Congress at the end of this year | CNN Politics
Kevin McCarthy will retire from Congress at end of year – Los Angeles Times
