Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., beat back a challenge from dark horse candidate, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, on Wednesday for the role of House minority leader, with Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., nabbing the title of GOP conference chairman.
During a closed-door session with House Republicans, the California lawmaker took a decisive victory against Jordan, bringing in 159 votes to the Ohio representative’s 43 votes.
McCarthy was initially elected to the House in 2006 and has served as the House majority leader since 2014. Jordan is a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus and an ally of President Trump.
McCarthy “knows what he needs to do,” said GOP Whip Steve Scalise, the Louisiana Republican who was gravely wounded in last year’s congressional baseball practice shooting. On Tuesday, Scalise unanimously won re-election to the No. 2 spot as whip. – READ MORE