McCarthy loses fifth ballot for House speaker

Boebert said Trump should tell McCarthy to withdraw from speaker race after she nominated Donalds for speaker in fifth voting round

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: January 4, 2023 1:58pm

Updated: January 4, 2023 2:55pm

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy lost the fifth ballot in the House speaker election on Wednesday.

As the fifth round of voting for House speaker began, Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert said on Wednesday that former President Trump should tell McCarthy to withdraw from the speaker race because he doesn't have the votes to win.

Boebert, a supporter of Trump, nominated Donalds for speaker in the fifth voting round on the House floor.

McCarthy lost the fifth ballot due to opposition from about 20 conservative Republicans. The final vote mirrored the fourth round, which was 201 for McCarthy, 212 for New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, 20 for Donalds and 1 member voted present.