During an appearance on Newsmax’s “Prime News” on Monday, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) announced his decision to challenge House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy for the GOP nomination to be the Speaker of the House when the caucus votes on Tuesday.
As many conservative voters have called for new leadership within the party, arguing that the current leaders have too often acquiesced to the left’s demands — compromising with the Democrats on legislation that the GOP voter base does not want and voting alongside the establishment instead of with conservative principles and values.
Biggs confirmed that the country is looking for a new direction from their leadership, stating: “We have a new paradigm here, and I think the country wants a different direction from the House of Representatives.”
He then revealed his plan to run for speaker.
“It’s a new world,” the Arizona congressman said. “And yes, I’m going to be nominated tomorrow to the position of Speaker of the House.”
“We’ll see if we can get the job done with the votes,” Biggs said, acknowledging that the race for Republican leader is “going to be tough.”
He went on to note that McCarthy “has raised a lot of money and done a lot of things,” but argued that the race for speaker is “not just about Kevin.”
“I think it’s about, uh, institutional direction and trajectory, and that’s where we’re where we’re going to see if we have enough people who agree that we need to change the trajectory of this place and open it up,” Biggs added.
“So open it up where people can actually represent the constituency in a more open and transparent manner,” he continued.
When asked by the show’s host whether he had “just announced,” Biggs responded: “Yeah, I guess I guess I did. Kinda so there you have it.”
While Biggs is challenging McCarthy for House leadership, many have called for new Republican leadership in the Senate, as well. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is widely expected to be reelected to his position in the chamber’s vote, as no one has stepped up to challenge him, despite numerous senators calling for a new leader.
Hawley, asked today if he'd support McConnell as maj. leader if GOP retakes Senate: "I don't imagine I will, no. … I'm not sure if any other senator will run or not. Nobody's indicated they would. But my view is that we need new leadership in that position." #mosen https://t.co/3kI5KGildC
— Galen Bacharier (@galenbacharier) November 7, 2022
