(Washington, DC) – Former United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will not pursue the position he was forced out of Tuesday afternoon. The 55th Speaker of the United States House was ousted 216-210, in a vote forced by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.
“I will not run for Speaker again,” McCarthy said. “I’ll have the conference pick someone else.”
He said he enjoyed the job of being Speaker of the House.
“I loved every minute,” McCarthy said in a press conference late Tuesday night. “I don’t regret standing up and choosing Governor over grievance. It is my responsibility, it is my job. I do not regret negotiating. I don’t regret my efforts to build coalitions and find solutions.”
He said he leaves the speakership with a “sense of pride, accomplishment, and yes, optimism.”