In a high-stakes political game, allies of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy have reportedly invested millions in an attempt to unseat Republicans who voted against him last October.
However, their efforts have only resulted in the removal of one legislator.
According to the Daily Caller, eight Republicans, including Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Ken Buck of Colorado, Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Rosendale of Montana, and Bob Good of Virginia, voted to oust McCarthy. Of these, only Good was unseated, losing by a slim margin of 400 votes. The well-funded campaign against McCarthy's detractors is drawing to a close, with Gaetz, who initially filed the motion to vacate the former speaker, expected to triumph over challenger Aaron Dimmock in Tuesday's primary.
Gaetz told the Daily Caller News Foundation, Kevin spent $3 million and all he has to show for it is a memo and a stack of cancelled checks. He added, We hope he continues listening to those who told him Aaron Dimmock was viable. Floridians will teach the California former Speaker a lesson Tuesday. And another in 2026 if he likes.
Despite a McCarthy-linked PAC reportedly spending over $3 million against Gaetz, the incumbent remains confident of a landslide victory in his reelection bid. Gaetz shared with Politico, Ive never been outspent before in my political career, and in this race Ill be outspent more than 3-to-1. But Im going to win it better than 2-to-1 because the folks in Washington and California and Missouri dont quite understand the connection that I have with the people of northwest Florida and how durable it is.
The feud between Gaetz and McCarthy escalated in September when Gaetz criticized the then-speaker for failing to pass all twelve single-subject appropriations bills before the Oct. 1 funding deadline. Gaetz threatened to file a motion to vacate the chair, to which McCarthy responded, file the fucking motion.
Gaetz, who has previously been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee under McCarthys direction for allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and other accusations, said on the floor before the vote to vacate the speakership, The thing we have in common? Kevin McCarthy said something to all of us at one point or another that he didnt really mean and never intended to live up to.
McCarthy, after being ousted, said during a press conference, Look, you all know Matt Gaetz. You know it was personal. It had nothing to do about spending. And regardless of what you think, I have seen the texts. It was all about his ethics. Gaetz has categorically denied all the allegations before the committee.
Good's defeat came despite pro-Good groups spending nearly $5.5 million on ads during his primary bid. His challenger and now Republican nominee John McGuire was endorsed by both McCarthy and former President Donald Trump. In addition to falling out with McCarthy, Good also upset the former president by initially supporting Republican Gov. Ron Desantis of Florida during the presidential primary. McGuires allies outspent the controversial incumbent by about $2 million, with $6.9 million of the $7.5 million reportedly spent on the Trump-endorsed candidate coming from groups tied to McCarthy.
McCarthy has also reportedly been involved in Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgias attempted ousting of Speaker Mike Johnson in May. The motion to vacate Johnsons speakership, which Greene filed in March, ultimately failed in a 359-43 vote, with just 10 Republicans backing the Georgia representative.
The political landscape remains fraught with tension as these power struggles continue to unfold. McCarthy's allies' efforts to unseat his detractors have largely been unsuccessful, demonstrating the resilience of those who opposed him. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how these political dynamics will shape the future of the Republican party.
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