Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the former House speaker who was ousted from his position in October in a revolt by hard-right members, will not seek reelection to his congressional seat and will retire from Congress at the end of this month, he announced Wednesday.
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Former speaker Kevin McCarthy will retire from Congress at end of year
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McCarthy’s retirement will bring to an end a 16-year House career that saw him quickly rise through the ranks of Republican leadership, culminating with his stint as speaker. His ouster marked the first time in history that the House voted to remove its leader, a move that threw the chamber into a period of instability.
McCarthy’s departure before the end of his term means California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will have to call a special election to replace him.
In the meantime, McCarthy’s departure will further narrow a fractious Republican majority in the House at a time when the chamber faces major decisions on government spending and foreign aid.
McCarthy’s term was set to end in January 2025. He represents California’s 20th District, which covers much of the state’s Central Valley.
McCarthy’s decision comes in the wake of an announcement Tuesday by one of his closest allies, Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.), that he is retiring at the end of his term. McHenry served as acting speaker during the three weeks in October after McCarthy’s ouster.
McCarthy will join the more than three dozen House members who have announced they will not seek reelection in 2024, because they are either retiring or seeking other office.
McCarthy’s downfall was precipitated by a motion to vacate him from the House’s top leadership position by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a far-right Florida Republican and McCarthy’s antagonist. McCarthy’s detractors accused him of not keeping promises made during a lengthy fight to secure the speaker’s gavel in January.
It took Republicans three weeks to select McCarthy’s successor as speaker — Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), a relatively unknown lawmaker who, unlike McCarthy, had not spent time in GOP leadership before being thrown into the spotlight.