Kevin McCarthy to depart House at end of year

Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the first Speaker in history to be ousted from the role, will depart the House at the end of the year. 

McCarthy wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that he was leaving “to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started.”

“I will continue to recruit our country’s best and brightest to run for elected office. The Republican Party is expanding every day, and I am committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders.”

The announcement comes roughly two months after McCarthy, 58, was removed from the Speakership in a stunning — and historic — fashion, ending his less-than-a-year run with the gavel. Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to depose him.

Following the vote, speculation swirled about whether McCarthy — who rose through the ranks of GOP leadership since coming to Congress in 2007 — would run for re-election, or even finish out his current term.

McCarthy announced his planned departure from the House just days before California’s deadline to file for reelection.

Last week, during an interview at The New York Times DealBook summit, McCarthy said the decision of whether to run for the House again was a “gut call” and he was “really taking this time now” to think matters through.

His departure combined with last week’s expulsion of former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) will further squeeze the already razor-thin House GOP majority, which will be able to afford just three GOP defections to pass any party-line legislation.

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) also plans to resign from the House in the first quarter of next year to take a job as president of Youngstown State University, and a special election to replace Santos is scheduled for Feb. 13. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) is also set to resign in February.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) highlighted the slim GOP majority in a post on X: “Hopefully no one dies.”

Despite McCarthy’s retirement, his district is likely to remain in Republican hands: California’s 20th Congressional District broke for former President Trump by roughly 24 percentage points in 2020.

According to state law, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has to call for a special election within 14 days of when McCarthy officially departs his seat. The election would then take place between 126 and 140 days after.

McCarthy struck an optimistic note in his op-ed announcement his departure despite enduring months of chaos leading the House GOP before his ouster.

“The most reliable solution to what ails America is before our eyes: everyday men and women who are raising families, showing up for work, volunteering, and pursuing the American Dream with passion and purpose. I agree with President Reagan’s observation that ‘all great change in America starts at the dinner table,’” McCarthy wrote. “Despite the best attempts by special interest groups and the news media to divide us, I have seen the goodness of the American people. They are what will ultimately uphold the enduring values of our great nation. We all have a role to play in that effort.”

“I never could have imagined the journey when I first threw my hat into the ring. I go knowing I left it all on the field—as always, with a smile on my face. And looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

Updated at 12:18 p.m.