(KMJ) Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield, CA) shocked his fellow members of the GOP Thursday by dropping his bid for House Speaker.
The move comes as House Republicans were in a closed-door meeting to select their nominee for speaker and came without any warning. Outgoing Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has postponed the vote. Members had no indication the move was coming. “Totally stunned,” said Rep. Peter King on CNN.
GOP lawmakers say McCarthy told colleagues at the start of a closed meeting that he was not the right person for the job. He recommended that the election be postponed and Speaker Boehner delayed it.
McCarthy had been heavily favored to be nominated by his fellow Republicans. However, the California Republican failed to win over a small but crucial bloc in the House GOP: the hardline Freedom Caucus. The group of 30-plus uncompromising conservatives drove Boehner to resign by threatening a floor vote on his speakership.
Wednesday, the Freedom Caucus announced it would oppose McCarthy, and back one of his two rivals, Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, was also making a bid to be speaker.
Developing…
CNN, AP contributed to this report.
