WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (Reuters) – Republican Kevin McCarthy, who won and lost the role of speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in a tumultuous nine months this year, said on Wednesday that he will leave Congress, bringing an end to his 17-year congressional career.
“I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways,” McCarthy, 58, wrote in a Wall Street Journal column.
“It often seems that the more Washington does, the worse America gets,” said McCarthy, who was ousted as speaker by Republicans in early October.
“The challenges we face are more likely to be solved by innovation than legislation,” he added.
The departure of the former party leader and campaign fundraising juggernaut, who helped Republicans take control of the House in 2022, could hamper party hopes of retaining that majority next year.
While he represents a safely Republican California district, his departure will further narrow Republicans’ already slim 221-213 majority early next year as Congress tries to avert a partial government shutdown in mid-January.
Under California law, a special election must take place within 126 to 140 days from the time the state’s governor calls it.
McCarthy vowed to continue recruiting candidates for elective office.
“The Republican Party is expanding every day, and I am committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders,” he said.
McCarthy announced his plans a week after the House expelled indicted Republican George Santos from Congress. On Tuesday, another top House Republican, Representative Patrick McHenry, who steered the chamber in the chaotic weeks after McCarthy’s ouster, said he would not seek reelection.
McCarthy won reelection in 2022 by a 35-point margin, and his California district is not seen as competitive by the three main nonpartisan election forecasters.
Reporting by David Morgan; additional reporting by Moira Warburton; editing by Scott Malone, Alistair Bell and Jonathan Oatis
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