Republicans started scrambling to interchange Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as Home GOP convention chair virtually instantly after information broke that President-elect Trump had picked her to serve on the United Nations, with two contenders saying their bids.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), the Home GOP convention secretary, informed The Hill she is working for Stefanik’s previous publish, as is Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), in accordance with a supply aware of her bid.
The Home GOP will maintain inside management elections on Wednesday, when the convention will vote on lawmakers to serve within the prime posts through the upcoming 119th Congress.
Republicans are poised to retain their management of the decrease chamber, however by a small margin. The Home remained uncalled as of Monday morning, however Republicans have secured 216 seats, and Democrats have been trailing at 209. A complete of 10 races haven’t but been known as.
It’s theoretically attainable Democrats might win the Home majority, however they’d have to win 9 of the ten races left to name, together with quite a few battles the place their candidates are working behind.
The function of convention chair is the No. 4 publish within the Home GOP majority. Stefanik was elevated to the job in Could 2021 after the group voted to oust former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from the place for her opposition to the concept that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.
Stefanik’s transfer to the Trump administration doesn’t come as a shock. Earlier than Election Day, a supply aware of the matter informed The Hill that they heard immediately from Stefanik that she wished to serve in a possible Trump administration.
Extra Republicans might enter the race within the lead-up to Wednesday’s vote, together with Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), the vice chair of the GOP convention, and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).
Some, nevertheless, have already taken themselves out of the working. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) informed The Hill that she is not going to search the place, and Rep. Ashley Hinson (Iowa) additionally mentioned she is not going to vie for the function.
“I’m humbled that my colleagues would consider me for this important post but I am not running for a leadership position. My focus is on serving Iowa’s Second Congressional District and working to ensure we carry out President Trump’s agenda,” Hinson mentioned in an announcement.
McClain has served within the Home since 2021, ascending to the function of convention secretary in 2023. She serves on the Oversight, Funds, Armed Providers and Training and Workforce Committees.
Cammack additionally arrived on Capitol Hill in 2021. She sits on the Agriculture and Vitality and Commerce Committees, along with the Choose Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Authorities.
Home Republicans will elect convention chair by a easy majority on a secret poll.
Different prime Home Republicans are searching for reelection to their posts, as effectively, together with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise (R-La.), Home Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.).
To remain Speaker, Johnson is not going to solely need to win his occasion’s nomination, however get near-unanimous help from Home Republicans in a ground vote on Jan. 3, since Democrats will vote for Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) to be Speaker.
Just one different lower-ranked management place has a number of candidates vying for the spot: Chair of the Republican Coverage Committee. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) is searching for one other time period within the publish. However he’s dealing with a problem from Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), the outgoing chair of the Republican Examine Committee, the most important conservative caucus within the Home.
