Kevin McCarthy to Depart Congress, Marking End of an Era
Kevin McCarthy, a prominent figure in American politics, has announced his decision to resign from the House of Representatives at the end of the year. This move concludes his nearly two-decade long congressional career, which saw him rise to the Speaker’s position before a dramatic exit.
In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, McCarthy expressed his intention to “serve America in new ways,” emphasizing that his work is “only getting started.” This statement comes after a tumultuous tenure as Speaker, where he was historically ousted from the role due to a coalition of eight GOP lawmakers and House Democrats. Despite this setback, McCarthy plans to stay politically active, focusing on recruiting and supporting future political leaders.
McCarthy’s time in the House, especially towards the end, was marked by tensions and suspicions from some members regarding his involvement in the search for his successor. Since Mike Johnson’s election as Speaker, McCarthy has largely stepped back from leadership roles within the party.
His departure also signals the beginning of a competitive race for his district seat in Bakersfield, a stronghold for the Republican Party. With McCarthy’s expected resignation, the responsibility falls on California Governor Gavin Newsom to decide whether to call a special election or leave the seat vacant until the next election. The district, anticipating this change, has already seen a flurry of potential candidates lining up, including state legislators such as Shannon Grove, Vince Fong, and Devon Mathis.
