It should have been a coronation of sorts for McCarthy: The California Republican was set to ride a red wave in November for Speaker of the House, a position he has held for years.
But a gloomy Republican who showed up in this month’s midterm elections has made his path difficult. And when GOP lawmakers convene this week to begin electing their leadership for the next Congress, McCarthy could find it difficult — especially from his right flank.
Arizona GOP Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, is one of the potential obstacles McCarthy faces on his path to speaker. Biggs thinks the GOP caucus should have a “proper discussion” about whether McCarthy should take the role, citing the underperformance of Republican candidates as something to consider.
