“With only 43 days left to complete and pass our appropriations bills, now was not the ideal time to vacate the Speaker of the House,” Davidson said Tuesday. “I’m thankful for Speaker McCarthy’s efforts and friendship. The fight to restore a government small enough to fit within the constitution is bigger than one person. To move past the status quo, Republicans must unite behind a speaker who will advance our agenda.”
Davidson represents Butler, Preble, Darke and parts of Hamilton and Miami counties.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
It’s the end of the political line for McCarthy, who has said repeatedly that he never gives up, but found himself with almost no options remaining. Neither the right-flank Republicans who engineered his ouster nor the Democrats who piled on seem open to negotiating.
McCarthy told lawmakers in the evening he would not run again for speaker, putting the gavel up for grabs. Next steps are highly uncertain with no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority. Action is halted in the House until next week, when Republicans try to elect a new speaker.
“I may have lost this vote today, but as I walk out of this chamber I feel fortunate to have served," McCarthy said at a press conference at the Capitol, alternating between upbeat assessment of his speakership and angry score-settling of those who ousted him.
Still, he said, “I wouldn't change a thing.”