McCarthy wins GOP nomination for House speaker with 188 votes

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday won the House GOP leadership nomination for House speaker.

The final election tally in the closed-door House Republican Conference meeting was 188-31, according to a GOP source.

McCarthy faced a challenge from Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, former chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

McCarthy's nomination for speaker heads to the House floor for a full vote in January. McCarthy needs 218 votes to be elected House speaker. 

Rep. Tom Emmer, National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, was elected House GOP whip. 

New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik was re-elected GOP conference chair. Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise was elected majority leader.