House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told Politico in an interview on Friday that he has the votes on the “first day” to become the next House Minority Leader. In an interview with Politico, McCarthy said he had already locked enough support in the House Republican conference to become the next House Minority Leader.“I had the votes the first day,” McCarthy contended. The House Republican conference will vote next week to decide who will lead them in the minority after they lost their majority during the 2018 midterms. Republicans will choose between McCarthy and House Freedom Caucus co-founder Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), who has the backing of the conservative and populist wing of House Republicans. In the interview, McCarthy insisted that he wants to change the country for the better. “I never ran for Congress to be Speaker, I ran to change the country,” McCarthy said. “So whatever position I am in, that’s my No. 1 focus.” McCarthy added, “It’s not about me. Am I disappointed we don’t have the majority? Yeah. But it’s not about me.” The California Republican said Jordan’s challenge does not bother him and that the competition between him and the Ohio congressman would benefit the House Republican conference. McCarthy said of Jordan’s bid for Minority Leader, “I think it’s good, I think it’s healthy.” McCarthy first ran for Speaker of the House in 2015 after Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) but withdrew facing opposition from Jordan and the House Freedom Caucus, which led to Rep. Paul… [Read full story]
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