McCarthy fails to win speakership in fourth round of voting

Rep. Roy nominated rising star Rep. Donalds for speaker in fourth voting round

Published: January 4, 2023 12:30pm

Updated: January 4, 2023 1:42pm

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy failed to garner enough votes to win the speakership in the fourth round of voting that took place on Wednesday.

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy nominated Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for speaker during the fourth round of voting for House speaker.

Former President Trump had urged House Republicans to back McCarthy ahead of the fourth round.

The final vote was 201 for McCarthy, 212 for New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Donalds with 20 and 1 voted present.

Roy said history had been made given that Donalds and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries are both African American and in the running for speaker in the fourth round.

McCarthy did not garner enough votes to become speaker in the previous 3 rounds.

Donalds switched his vote from McCarthy to Ohio GOP Rep. Jim Jordan in the third round. He voted for himself in the fourth round after Roy nominated him.