GOP Rep. Meuser drops out of speaker's race, eight candidates left

Since the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in early October, the House has been without a speaker and the Republican conference has struggled to coalesce behind a new leader.

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 23, 2023 7:55pm

Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Dan Meuser has dropped out of the race to be the next Speaker of the House, leaving eight others to vie for the position.

The Republican conference unveiled the list of nine candidates on Sunday, ahead of a Monday candidate forum. Among the list were Meuser, and GOP Reps. Jack Bergman, Mich.; Byron Donalds, Fla.; Tom Emmer, Minn.; Kevin Hern, Okla.; Mike Johnson, La.; Gary Palmer, Ala.; Austin Scott, Ga.; and Pete Sessions, Texas.

"I came in late, and I have other commitments that I want to adhere to," Meuser said, according to Punchbowl News. The lawmaker later confirmed his plans in a thread on X, in which he cited his commitment to working on the Trump 2024 campaign in Pennsylvania as partially motivating the decision.

"We must this week come together as Republicans and elect a new speaker and get back to work. Growing our Republican majority in the House, winning the Senate, and electing President Trump in 2024 is the best way to move our country forward," he said. "To save America, we must rid Joe Biden from the White House. Biden’s policies have been a disaster – foreign and domestic."

"That's why I’ve made a commitment to President Trump to help lead his campaign in Pennsylvania," he concluded. "I want to focus on this commitment, as well as the House and PA Senate race, so therefore, I am withdrawing from the Speaker's race. I believe the House will elect a new Speaker, and I know we will be in good hands with one of our colleagues running. I've spoken to President Trump, and he supports my decision."

Since the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in early October, the House has been without a speaker and the Republican conference has struggled to coalesce behind a new leader. Thus far, the conference has backed both Reps. Jim Jordan, Ohio; and Steve Scalise, La.; though neither were able to secure enough support to claim the gavel. Scalise backed out before any floor vote, citing insufficient support, while Jordan endured three chamber-wide contests before the conference removed him as its speaker designee.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.