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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Kevin McCarthy
| name         = Kevin McCarthy
| image = Kevin McCarthy, official portrait, speaker.jpg
| image         = Kevin McCarthy, official portrait, speaker.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2023
| caption       = Official portrait, 2023
| birth_name = Kevin Owen McCarthy
| birth_name   = Kevin Owen McCarthy
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|1|26}}
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1965|1|26}}
| birth_place = Bakersfield, California, U.S.
| birth_place   = [[Bakersfield, California]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality   = American
| occupation = Politician
| occupation   = Politician
| known_for = 55th [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]]
| known_for     = 55th [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]]
| education = California State University, Bakersfield (B.S., M.B.A.)
| education     = [[California State University, Bakersfield]] ([[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]], [[Master of Business Administration|M.B.A.]])
| awards =  
| office        = 55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
| website =  
| awards       =  
| website       =  
}}
}}


Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician who served as the 55th [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] from January to October 2023, making his tenure the third-shortest of any speaker in the history of the institution. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], McCarthy represented portions of California's Central Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 until his resignation in December 2023. Over the course of his congressional career, he held a succession of leadership positions — chief deputy whip, majority whip, majority leader, and minority leader — before ascending to the speakership following a historic 15-ballot election in January 2023. His removal from the speakership by a motion to vacate on October 3, 2023, made him the first speaker ever ousted from the role during a legislative session.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy {{!}} Biography, Family, Education, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Since leaving Congress, McCarthy has remained active in Republican politics as a commentator and political strategist, appearing frequently on news programs and involving himself in policy debates including California redistricting efforts.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-08-15 |title=Kevin McCarthy reemerges to fight California redistricting |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/15/kevin-mccarthy-reemerges-to-fight-california-redistricting-00511658 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Kevin Owen McCarthy''' (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician who served as the 55th [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] from January to October 2023. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], McCarthy represented portions of [[Kern County, California|Kern County]] and the southern [[San Joaquin Valley]] in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] for more than sixteen years, rising through the ranks of Republican leadership faster than nearly any of his contemporaries. His political career, rooted in the agricultural heartland of [[Bakersfield, California]], carried him from the [[California State Assembly]] to the highest office in the legislative branch of the federal government — only for his speakership to end in a historic and unprecedented removal by members of his own party. McCarthy served as [[House Majority Whip]] from 2011 to 2014, [[House Majority Leader]] from 2014 to 2019, and [[House Minority Leader]] from 2019 to 2023 before winning the speakership after a protracted 15-ballot election in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy {{!}} Biography, Family, Education, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He resigned from Congress at the end of 2023, following his removal as speaker.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Kevin Owen McCarthy was born on January 26, 1965, in Bakersfield, California.<ref name="bioguide">{{cite web |title=MCCARTHY, Kevin Owen |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m001165 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in the Bakersfield area, a predominantly conservative region in California's Central Valley that would later form the core of his congressional district. McCarthy's roots in Kern County would prove central to his political identity, as he built his career representing the agricultural and energy-producing communities of the region.
Kevin Owen McCarthy was born on January 26, 1965, in [[Bakersfield, California]].<ref name="bioguide">{{cite web |title=McCarthy, Kevin Owen |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m001165 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He grew up in the Bakersfield area, which is located in [[Kern County, California|Kern County]] in the southern portion of California's [[San Joaquin Valley]]. The region is known for its agricultural economy and oil production, and its political culture has historically been more conservative than that of the state's coastal urban centers.


As a young man, McCarthy won a lottery jackpot, and he used a portion of his winnings to invest in a small deli business. This early entrepreneurial experience informed his interest in business and economics, which he pursued through his subsequent education.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy {{!}} Biography, Family, Education, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McCarthy's interest in politics and public life developed early. He attended local schools in the Bakersfield area before enrolling at [[California State University, Bakersfield]], where he would complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies. His upbringing in a working-class community in the Central Valley shaped the political identity he would carry into elected office, positioning himself as a representative of the rural and suburban constituencies that formed the backbone of his congressional district.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy {{!}} Biography, Family, Education, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Before entering politics, McCarthy reportedly won a portion of a state lottery prize, which he used to start a small business — a deli — in Bakersfield. This entrepreneurial experience would later become a part of his political narrative, as he frequently cited his background as a small business owner in legislative discussions concerning economic policy and regulation.


== Education ==
== Education ==


McCarthy attended [[California State University, Bakersfield]], where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration. His education at the Bakersfield campus of the California State University system grounded him in the local community where he would launch his political career.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref name="britannica" /> At the time he was first considered for the speakership in 2015, commentators at ''The Washington Post'' noted that McCarthy would have been among the least experienced speakers in terms of formal credentials since the late nineteenth century.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-28 |title=Kevin McCarthy would be the least experienced House speaker since 1891 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/28/kevin-mccarthy-would-be-the-least-experienced-house-speaker-since-1891/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McCarthy earned his [[Bachelor of Science]] degree from [[California State University, Bakersfield]]. He subsequently completed a [[Master of Business Administration]] (M.B.A.) at the same institution.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref name="britannica" /> His educational background at a regional campus of the [[California State University]] system distinguished him from many of his peers in congressional leadership, who more commonly held degrees from elite private universities or prestigious law schools. At the time of his candidacy for speaker in 2015, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' noted that McCarthy would have been among the least credentialed speakers in modern history in terms of his educational pedigree.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Kevin McCarthy would be the least experienced House speaker since 1891 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/28/kevin-mccarthy-would-be-the-least-experienced-house-speaker-since-1891/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== California State Assembly ===
=== California State Assembly ===


Before entering federal politics, McCarthy served two terms as a member of the [[California State Assembly]], representing the Bakersfield area. His time in the state legislature provided him with foundational legislative experience and helped establish his network within the California Republican Party. His service in Sacramento preceded his successful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref name="bioguide" />
McCarthy began his career in elected office at the state level, serving two terms as a member of the [[California State Assembly]]. His time in the state legislature provided him with an introduction to the legislative process and helped him build a political network within Republican circles in California.<ref name="bioguide" /> His tenure in Sacramento was relatively brief, as he soon set his sights on a seat in the United States Congress.
 
=== U.S. House of Representatives ===


=== U.S. House of Representatives: Early Years and Rise Through Leadership ===
McCarthy was elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] in 2006, representing [[California's 22nd congressional district]]. He took office in January 2007.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy – Candidate Overview |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6CA22125 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Following redistricting after the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], he represented [[California's 23rd congressional district]] from 2013 to 2023. After further redistricting, he briefly represented [[California's 20th congressional district]] in 2023 before his resignation.


McCarthy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, representing [[California's 22nd congressional district]].<ref name="bioguide" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy — Candidate Overview |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6CA22125 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He served this district from 2007 to 2013, after which redistricting shifted his constituency to [[California's 23rd congressional district]], which he represented from 2013 to 2023. In his final year in Congress, following further redistricting, he represented [[California's 20th congressional district]].<ref name="bioguide" />
His congressional career was marked by a rapid ascent through the ranks of Republican Party leadership. McCarthy was affiliated with the "[[Young Guns (political group)|Young Guns]]" program, a Republican recruitment and fundraising initiative that also included [[Eric Cantor]] and [[Paul Ryan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About – GOP Young Guns |url=http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/ |publisher=GOP Young Guns |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The three lawmakers were seen as a new generation of Republican leaders who sought to modernize the party's image and policy agenda.


McCarthy's ascent through the ranks of House Republican leadership was notably rapid. In January 2009, he was appointed House Republican chief deputy whip under Minority Whip [[John Boehner]], succeeding [[Eric Cantor]] in the role. He served in this capacity until January 2011.<ref name="bioguide" />
=== Rise Through Leadership ===


Following the Republican wave in the 2010 midterm elections, which restored the party to the majority in the House, McCarthy was elevated to the position of [[House Majority Whip]] in January 2011, serving under Speaker John Boehner. As whip, McCarthy was responsible for marshaling votes among Republican members and ensuring party discipline on key legislation. He held this position until August 2014.<ref name="bioguide" />
McCarthy's trajectory through the House Republican leadership hierarchy was swift. He served as [[Chief Deputy Whip]] from January 2009 to January 2011, succeeding [[Eric Cantor]] in that role and being succeeded by [[Peter Roskam]].<ref name="bioguide" /> When Republicans won a majority in the House in the [[2010 United States elections|2010 elections]], McCarthy was elevated to [[House Majority Whip]], serving in that capacity under Speaker [[John Boehner]] from January 2011 to August 2014.<ref name="bioguide" />


McCarthy was part of a group of younger Republican members known as the "Young Guns," along with Eric Cantor and [[Paul Ryan]], who sought to rebrand and energize the Republican Party's image and policy agenda.<ref>{{cite web |title=About — GOP Young Guns |url=http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/ |publisher=GOP Young Guns |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
McCarthy's role as whip required him to count votes and rally support for legislation within the Republican conference, a task that demanded considerable interpersonal skill. His amiable demeanor and ability to maintain relationships across the ideological spectrum of the Republican caucus were frequently noted by observers and colleagues. He built a reputation as a coalition-builder and fundraiser, traveling extensively to support Republican candidates in elections across the country.


=== House Majority Leader ===
=== House Majority Leader ===


When House Majority Leader Eric Cantor suffered a shocking primary defeat in June 2014 — one of the most unexpected election results in modern congressional history — McCarthy emerged as the frontrunner to succeed him. Other potential candidates, including [[Pete Sessions]], withdrew from consideration.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Pete Sessions drops out of majority leader race |url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/petesessions-drops-out-of-majority-leader-race/?dcz= |work=Roll Call |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> McCarthy was elected House Majority Leader on August 1, 2014, and served in the role under Speaker John Boehner and subsequently under Speaker Paul Ryan.<ref name="bioguide" />
After [[Eric Cantor]] suffered a stunning defeat in his [[2014 Republican primary]] election — an unprecedented loss for a sitting majority leader — McCarthy moved quickly to secure the majority leader position. [[Pete Sessions]] initially considered entering the race but dropped out.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Pete Sessions Drops Out of Majority Leader Race |url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/petesessions-drops-out-of-majority-leader-race/?dcz= |work=Roll Call |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> McCarthy was elected by the House Republican Conference as [[House Majority Leader]] on August 1, 2014, succeeding Cantor.<ref name="bioguide" />
 
As majority leader, McCarthy was the second-ranking Republican in the House and was responsible for setting the legislative agenda and managing floor proceedings. He assembled a staff team that included policy advisors with experience in areas such as tax policy and economic regulation.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Kevin McCarthy staff: Neil Bradley |url=http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/kevin-mccarthy-staff-neil-bradley/?dcz= |work=Roll Call |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
=== 2015 Speaker's Race ===
 
In September 2015, Speaker John Boehner announced his intention to resign from the speakership and from Congress, citing persistent conflicts with the conservative wing of the Republican conference.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-25 |title=John Boehner Will Resign as Speaker |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/john-boehner-will-resign-as-speaker/407374/ |work=The Atlantic |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As majority leader, McCarthy was widely viewed as the heir apparent and announced his candidacy for the speakership.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=House Speaker John Boehner to resign: Live updates |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/liveblog/house-speaker-john-boehner-to-resign-live-updates/#0ef33d2c-bc47-43c8-8de5-d6d4040cb61c |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


However, McCarthy's candidacy was complicated by a September 2015 appearance on [[Fox News]], during which he appeared to link the House Select Committee on Benghazi to a decline in [[Hillary Clinton]]'s poll numbers, stating: "Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping."<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-30 |title=Boehner's likely successor credits Benghazi committee for lowering Hillary Clinton's poll numbers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/30/boehners-likely-successor-credits-benghazi-committee-for-lowering-hillary-clintons-poll-numbers/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The remarks drew significant criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, as they appeared to suggest that the Benghazi investigation — which Republicans had characterized as a fact-finding effort — was in fact politically motivated.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-30 |title=Kevin McCarthy's comments about Benghazi should raise a red flag for Republicans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/30/kevin-mccarthys-comments-about-benghazi-should-raise-a-red-flag-for-republicans/?postshare=9941443627166312 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-30 |title=Kevin McCarthy Steps Into a Faux Outrage |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/kevin-mccarthy-steps-into-a-faux-outrage/408253/ |work=The Atlantic |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
As majority leader, McCarthy served under two speakers: [[John Boehner]] and [[Paul Ryan]]. He managed the day-to-day legislative agenda on the House floor and continued to serve as one of the party's principal fundraisers. During his tenure as majority leader, McCarthy was involved in shepherding key pieces of Republican legislation through the House, including the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]], which passed the House in December 2017 before being signed into law by President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-12-19 |title=Tax Bill Vote: How Each House Member Voted |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=President Trump signs tax reform bill into law |url=https://www.watchdog.org/national/president-trump-signs-tax-reform-bill-into-law/article_1a0279ce-e734-11e7-8c25-ffb6b3cb669a.html |work=Watchdog.org |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In October 2015, McCarthy abruptly withdrew from the speaker's race, surprising many of his colleagues. He cited his inability to unite the Republican conference as a reason for stepping aside.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-10-08 |title=House Speaker Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Paul Ryan was ultimately elected speaker, and McCarthy continued to serve as majority leader.
==== 2015 Speaker Bid ====


=== Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ===
When Speaker [[John Boehner]] announced his resignation in September 2015, McCarthy was initially considered the frontrunner to succeed him.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=John Boehner Will Resign as Speaker |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/john-boehner-will-resign-as-speaker/407374/ |work=The Atlantic |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=House Speaker John Boehner to resign — Live updates |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/liveblog/house-speaker-john-boehner-to-resign-live-updates/#0ef33d2c-bc47-43c8-8de5-d6d4040cb61c |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> However, his candidacy was derailed in part by comments he made in a September 2015 television interview in which he appeared to link the [[United States House Select Committee on Benghazi|House Select Committee on Benghazi]] to a decline in [[Hillary Clinton]]'s poll numbers. McCarthy stated: "Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping."<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-30 |title=Boehner's likely successor credits Benghazi committee for lowering Hillary Clinton's poll numbers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/30/boehners-likely-successor-credits-benghazi-committee-for-lowering-hillary-clintons-poll-numbers/ |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


As majority leader, McCarthy played a role in advancing the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]], the signature legislative achievement of the Trump administration's first year. The bill, which overhauled the federal tax code by reducing corporate and individual tax rates, passed the House in December 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-12-19 |title=Tax Bill House Live Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> President [[Donald Trump]] signed the legislation into law shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=President Trump signs tax reform bill into law |url=https://www.watchdog.org/national/president-trump-signs-tax-reform-bill-into-law/article_1a0279ce-e734-11e7-8c25-ffb6b3cb669a.html |work=Watchdog.org |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The remarks drew widespread criticism, as they appeared to confirm Democratic accusations that the Benghazi investigation was politically motivated rather than a genuine fact-finding effort.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-09-30 |title=Kevin McCarthy's comments about Benghazi should raise a red flag for Republicans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/30/kevin-mccarthys-comments-about-benghazi-should-raise-a-red-flag-for-republicans/?postshare=9941443627166312 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Kevin McCarthy Steps Into a Faux Outrage |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/kevin-mccarthy-steps-into-a-faux-outrage/408253/ |work=The Atlantic |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> McCarthy subsequently withdrew from the speaker's race in October 2015, and [[Paul Ryan]] was eventually elected speaker instead.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2015-10-08 |title=House Speaker Vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== House Minority Leader ===
=== House Minority Leader ===


When the Democrats regained control of the House following the 2018 midterm elections and Paul Ryan retired from Congress, McCarthy was elected [[House Minority Leader]] in January 2019, succeeding [[Nancy Pelosi]] as leader of the Republican conference (Pelosi having resumed the speakership).<ref name="bioguide" /> As minority leader, McCarthy served as the principal Republican opposition leader in the lower chamber, working to recruit candidates and raise funds for the party's effort to reclaim the majority.
Following the [[2018 United States elections|2018 midterm elections]], in which Republicans lost their House majority, and after Paul Ryan's retirement from Congress, McCarthy was elected [[House Minority Leader]] in January 2019.<ref name="bioguide" /> He served as the leader of the House Republican Conference throughout the 116th and 117th Congresses.


McCarthy's tenure as minority leader was marked by the turbulent political dynamics surrounding the presidency of Donald Trump. After [[Joe Biden]] won the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], McCarthy supported Trump's claims of election fraud and participated in efforts to challenge the results. Following the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|storming of the U.S. Capitol]] on January 6, 2021, during the congressional certification of electoral votes, McCarthy initially reversed course and attributed responsibility for the riot to Trump. However, by 2022, McCarthy had publicly reconciled with Trump, a shift that reflected the former president's continued influence within the Republican Party.<ref name="britannica" />
As Minority Leader, McCarthy's relationship with President [[Donald Trump]] became a central feature of his political profile. After [[Joe Biden]] won the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]], McCarthy supported Trump's claims of election fraud and initially participated in efforts to challenge the certification of the results. Following the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021]], during the electoral vote count, McCarthy reversed his previous comments on voter fraud and publicly blamed Trump for the riot. However, by 2022, McCarthy had publicly reconciled with Trump, visiting him at [[Mar-a-Lago]] and reaffirming their political alliance.<ref name="britannica" />


McCarthy led House Republicans through the 2022 midterm elections. While Republicans regained the majority, their gains were narrower than many party strategists and forecasters had anticipated, resulting in a slim margin that would complicate McCarthy's path to the speakership and his subsequent ability to govern.<ref name="britannica" />
McCarthy led the House Republicans through the [[2022 United States elections|2022 midterm elections]], in which the party regained control of the House but with a narrower-than-expected majority. The slim margins would prove consequential for McCarthy's ability to govern as speaker.


=== Constituent Relations ===
=== Speakership ===


Throughout his time in Congress, McCarthy engaged with constituents in his Central Valley district through various formats, including town hall meetings. He held public town hall events where he addressed questions from local voters on a range of policy topics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Representative McCarthy Town Hall Meeting |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?293842-1/representative-mccarthy-town-hall-meeting |publisher=C-SPAN |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> At various points, constituents and activist groups called for additional such meetings or protested at events where McCarthy appeared.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Local voters call for town hall meeting with Rep. McCarthy |url=http://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/local-voters-call-for-town-hall-meeting-with-rep-mccarthy |work=Bakersfield Now |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Protesters gather outside hotel where Congressman Kevin McCarthy was set to speak at a GOP dinner |url=http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-outside-hotel-where-congressman-kevin-mccarthy-was-set-to-speakat-a-gop-dinner |work=KERO-TV |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=McCarthy faces pressure from constituents |url=http://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article134332789.html |work=The Fresno Bee |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
==== Historic 15-Ballot Election ====


=== Speaker of the House ===
When the [[118th United States Congress]] convened in January 2023, McCarthy was the Republican nominee for [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]]. However, a group of conservative Republican holdouts refused to support his candidacy on the initial ballot, denying him the majority needed for election. What followed was a prolonged and historic series of votes — 15 ballots over several days — the first time since [[1859]] that a speaker election had required more than one ballot.<ref name="britannica" />


Following the Republican victory in the 2022 midterm elections, McCarthy was nominated by the Republican conference as its candidate for speaker. However, when the 118th Congress convened in January 2023, a group of Republican holdouts — primarily from the party's conservative and populist wings — refused to support his candidacy. The result was an extended and historic series of ballots on the House floor. McCarthy failed to secure the speakership on the first ballot, and the voting continued over multiple days, ultimately requiring 15 separate ballots before McCarthy won the gavel on January 7, 2023. This was the most ballots required to elect a speaker since 1859 and represented one of the most dramatic intraparty leadership struggles in modern congressional history.<ref name="britannica" />
McCarthy secured the speakership on January 7, 2023, only after extensive negotiations with conservative members of his conference, during which he agreed to a series of concessions, including a rule change that would allow a single member to force a vote on removing the speaker — a procedural mechanism known as a [[motion to vacate the chair]]. He succeeded [[Nancy Pelosi]] as speaker.<ref name="britannica" />


To secure the votes necessary for his election, McCarthy made a number of concessions to his conservative critics, including changes to House rules that would make it easier for a single member to bring a motion to vacate the chair — a procedural mechanism to force a vote on removing the speaker. This concession would prove consequential later in his tenure.<ref name="britannica" />
==== Debt Ceiling Crisis ====


==== 2023 Debt-Ceiling Crisis ====
One of the most significant challenges of McCarthy's speakership was a standoff between the House Republican conference and the [[Biden administration]] over raising the [[United States debt ceiling|federal debt ceiling]]. The confrontation escalated into the [[2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis]], which threatened to result in the first-ever default on United States government obligations. After weeks of negotiations, the parties reached an agreement in the form of the [[Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023]], which suspended the debt ceiling while imposing certain spending constraints. The legislation passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by President Biden.<ref name="britannica" />


One of the defining challenges of McCarthy's speakership was the [[2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis|2023 debt-ceiling crisis]]. House Republicans, with McCarthy as speaker, engaged in a prolonged standoff with the Biden administration over the conditions for raising the federal debt limit. The impasse raised the prospect of the United States defaulting on its financial obligations for the first time in history. After weeks of negotiations, McCarthy and President Biden reached an agreement that resulted in the [[Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023]], which suspended the debt ceiling while imposing certain spending limits. The legislation passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by Biden.<ref name="britannica" />
The passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act required McCarthy to rely on Democratic votes to supplement support from moderate Republicans, a dynamic that frustrated conservative members of his conference who had sought deeper spending cuts.


==== Motion to Vacate and Removal ====
==== Removal as Speaker ====


In late September 2023, the federal government again faced a potential shutdown as appropriations bills stalled. McCarthy chose to bring a bipartisan continuing resolution to the House floor, relying on Democratic votes to pass the measure and avert a government shutdown. While the move averted an immediate fiscal crisis, it provoked a backlash from some conservative members of his conference.<ref name="britannica" />
In September 2023, McCarthy again turned to bipartisan support, working with Democrats to pass a [[continuing resolution]] that averted a [[government shutdown]]. The move provoked a direct challenge from Representative [[Matt Gaetz]] of Florida, who filed a [[motion to vacate the chair]] — the procedural tool that McCarthy had agreed to empower during his speaker election negotiations.


On October 3, 2023, Republican Representative [[Matt Gaetz]] of Florida filed a motion to vacate the chair, triggering a vote on McCarthy's removal as speaker. The motion succeeded with the support of eight Republican members who joined all Democratic members in voting to remove McCarthy. The House floor debate that preceded the vote was largely unprecedented, as it pitted members of the majority party against their own speaker in open session.<ref name="britannica" />
On October 3, 2023, following a largely unprecedented floor debate in which members of the majority party openly debated the removal of their own speaker, the House voted to vacate the chair. McCarthy was removed as speaker, becoming the first speaker in American history to be ousted during a legislative session. His tenure of approximately nine months was the third-shortest for any speaker of the House.<ref name="britannica" />


McCarthy's removal made him the first speaker of the House in American history to be ousted during a legislative session. His tenure of approximately nine months was the third-shortest in the history of the speakership. Following his removal, McCarthy did not seek to reclaim the position. [[Mike Johnson]] of Louisiana was eventually elected as the 56th speaker.<ref name="britannica" />
McCarthy did not seek the speakership again in the subsequent election. [[Mike Johnson]] of Louisiana was eventually elected as his successor.


=== Resignation from Congress ===
==== Resignation from Congress ====


After being removed as speaker, McCarthy announced that he would resign from the House of Representatives. He formally left Congress at the end of 2023, concluding a 17-year career in the institution.<ref name="britannica" />
Following his removal as speaker, McCarthy announced that he would resign from the House of Representatives. He formally left Congress at the end of 2023, concluding a career in the House that had spanned more than sixteen years.<ref name="britannica" />


=== Post-Congressional Career ===
=== Post-Congressional Career ===


Since leaving Congress, McCarthy has remained a public figure in Republican politics. He has made regular appearances on news programs as a political commentator, offering analysis on topics including the state of the Democratic and Republican parties. In February 2026, he appeared on Fox News to discuss the future of the Democratic Party, critiquing figures such as California Governor [[Gavin Newsom]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-24 |title=Trump likely to 'set a record' for longest SOTU and will do so on 'merit': Kevin McCarthy |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389772440112 |work=Fox News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
After leaving Congress, McCarthy has remained active in Republican political circles and as a media commentator. He has appeared on [[Fox News]] and other outlets to offer political analysis and commentary on national affairs.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Trump likely to 'set a record' for longest SOTU and will do so on 'merit': Kevin McCarthy |url=https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389772440112 |work=Fox News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In December 2025, he appeared alongside former Senator [[Joe Manchin]] on [[C-SPAN]] to discuss bipartisan cooperation and political polarization.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ceasefire with Joe Manchin and Kevin McCarthy |url=https://www.c-span.org/program/ceasefire/ceasefire-with-joe-manchin-and-kevin-mccarthy/670631 |publisher=C-SPAN |date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
McCarthy has also offered commentary on Democratic electoral strategies. In February 2026, he discussed the victory of a Democratic candidate in a Texas state Senate race, asserting that the winning candidate "looked like a Republican," suggesting that Democrats had adopted more moderate positioning to win in conservative-leaning districts.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=McCarthy: Victorious Texas Democrat 'looked like a Republican' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5720185-mccarthy-texas-democrat-republican/ |work=The Hill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Dems in Texas got candidate who resembled Republican: Ex-House speaker |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/katie-pavlich-tonight/democrats-republicans-texas-kevin-mccarthy/ |work=NewsNation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
In December 2025, McCarthy participated in a joint appearance with former Senator [[Joe Manchin]] on a C-SPAN program titled "Ceasefire," in which the two discussed bipartisan approaches to policy and efforts to bridge political divides.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ceasefire with Joe Manchin and Kevin McCarthy |url=https://www.c-span.org/program/ceasefire/ceasefire-with-joe-manchin-and-kevin-mccarthy/670631 |publisher=C-SPAN |date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In August 2025, ''Politico'' reported that McCarthy had been working behind the scenes to rally Republican opposition to California Democrats' redistricting efforts, demonstrating his continued involvement in party strategy at the state level.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-08-15 |title=Kevin McCarthy reemerges to fight California redistricting |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/15/kevin-mccarthy-reemerges-to-fight-california-redistricting-00511658 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In 2025, McCarthy was reported to be working behind the scenes to organize Republican opposition to redistricting efforts by California Democrats, maintaining an active role in state and national Republican politics.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-08-15 |title=Kevin McCarthy reemerges to fight California redistricting |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/15/kevin-mccarthy-reemerges-to-fight-california-redistricting-00511658 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He has also offered public commentary on Democratic electoral strategy, noting after a 2026 Texas special election that the winning Democratic candidate had adopted messaging and positions that "looked like a Republican."<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=McCarthy: Victorious Texas Democrat 'looked like a Republican' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5720185-mccarthy-texas-democrat-republican/ |work=The Hill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Dems in Texas got candidate who resembled Republican: Ex-House speaker |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/katie-pavlich-tonight/democrats-republicans-texas-kevin-mccarthy/ |work=NewsNation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


McCarthy has been a lifelong resident of the Bakersfield, California area. He and his wife, Judy McCarthy, have two children.<ref name="britannica" /> The family has maintained deep ties to the Kern County community, where McCarthy built his political career from his early days in the California State Assembly through his years in Congress.
McCarthy has been a longtime resident of [[Bakersfield, California]], where he has maintained his home and family throughout his political career. His roots in the community are deep, and he has been known for his connections to the local business and civic communities in Kern County.<ref name="bioguide" />


McCarthy's connection to Bakersfield has been a recurring theme in his political identity. He has frequently referenced his roots in the Central Valley's agricultural and energy-producing economy when discussing policy positions on issues such as water rights, energy development, and rural economic concerns that are central to his former district.<ref name="bioguide" />
McCarthy's district was known for its agricultural output and energy production, and constituents in the region periodically called for more direct engagement from their representative. Local media reported on instances in which voters organized to request town hall meetings with McCarthy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Local voters call for town hall meeting with Rep. McCarthy |url=http://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/local-voters-call-for-town-hall-meeting-with-rep-mccarthy |publisher=Bakersfield Now |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> McCarthy held public events in his district, including a town hall meeting broadcast on [[C-SPAN]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Representative McCarthy Town Hall Meeting |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?293842-1/representative-mccarthy-town-hall-meeting |publisher=C-SPAN |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> During the political tensions of 2017, protesters gathered outside a hotel where McCarthy was scheduled to speak at a Republican dinner event.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Protesters gather outside hotel where Congressman Kevin McCarthy was set to speak at a GOP dinner |url=http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-outside-hotel-where-congressman-kevin-mccarthy-was-set-to-speakat-a-gop-dinner |work=KERO-TV |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Kevin McCarthy's career in the U.S. House of Representatives spanned 17 years and encompassed a period of significant transformation within the Republican Party. His rapid rise through the leadership ranks — from freshman member to chief deputy whip, majority whip, majority leader, minority leader, and speaker — reflected his skill in building relationships and coalitions within the Republican conference.
Kevin McCarthy's political career is defined by both his rapid rise through House Republican leadership and the historic nature of his removal from the speakership. His ascent from a state assembly member to Speaker of the House illustrated the importance of coalition-building, fundraising, and interpersonal relationships in the internal politics of the U.S. Congress. As a member of the "Young Guns" generation alongside Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan, McCarthy was part of a cohort that reshaped the Republican Party's approach to recruitment, messaging, and legislative strategy during the Obama and Trump eras.<ref>{{cite web |title=About – GOP Young Guns |url=http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/ |publisher=GOP Young Guns |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
McCarthy's speakership, though brief, was marked by two consequential episodes that illustrated the challenges of governing with a narrow majority in a deeply polarized political environment. The 15-ballot speaker's election in January 2023 demonstrated the degree to which a small group of dissenters could leverage procedural rules to extract concessions from party leadership. The subsequent motion to vacate in October 2023 — the first successful such motion in American history — established a precedent that future speakers and House leaders would need to consider.<ref name="britannica" />


The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, negotiated between McCarthy and the Biden administration, averted a potential default on the national debt and represented one of the few significant bipartisan legislative achievements of the 118th Congress. However, the bipartisan nature of that deal, along with the continuing resolution that averted a government shutdown, ultimately cost McCarthy the support of enough Republican members to end his speakership.<ref name="britannica" />
His speakership, though brief, encompassed significant legislative and institutional events. The resolution of the 2023 debt-ceiling crisis through the Fiscal Responsibility Act demonstrated McCarthy's willingness to pursue bipartisan compromise under extraordinary pressure, even as that approach ultimately contributed to his removal. The 15-ballot speaker election in January 2023 and the October 2023 motion to vacate were both historic firsts that underscored the challenges of governing with a narrow majority and a deeply divided conference.


McCarthy's career trajectory also reflected broader dynamics within the Republican Party during the Trump era, including the tensions between traditional party leadership and a more populist, confrontational faction. His shifting positions regarding the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and his subsequent reconciliation with Donald Trump mirrored the calculations made by numerous Republican officeholders during the same period.<ref name="britannica" />
McCarthy's ouster as speaker set a precedent in American legislative history. He was the first speaker to be removed from the position through a motion to vacate during a legislative session, an event that prompted broader discussions about the stability of House leadership and the power of small factions within legislative bodies to shape or obstruct governance. The concessions he made during his speaker election — particularly the single-member threshold for triggering a motion to vacate — became a subject of study and debate among political scientists and congressional observers.


His congressional record, as documented by the [[Library of Congress]], includes participation in a wide range of legislative activities spanning economic policy, energy, agriculture, and national security during his years of service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin McCarthy — Congress.gov |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/kevin-mccarthy/1833 |publisher=Library of Congress |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
His congressional record is documented in the [[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]] and through his legislative activity tracked by [[Congress.gov]].<ref name="bioguide" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Member Profile: Kevin McCarthy |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/kevin-mccarthy/1833 |publisher=Congress.gov |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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Kevin McCarthy
Official portrait, 2023
Kevin McCarthy
BornKevin Owen McCarthy
26 1, 1965
BirthplaceBakersfield, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician
Known for55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
EducationCalifornia State University, Bakersfield (B.S., M.B.A.)

Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician who served as the 55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from January to October 2023. A member of the Republican Party, McCarthy represented portions of Kern County and the southern San Joaquin Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than sixteen years, rising through the ranks of Republican leadership faster than nearly any of his contemporaries. His political career, rooted in the agricultural heartland of Bakersfield, California, carried him from the California State Assembly to the highest office in the legislative branch of the federal government — only for his speakership to end in a historic and unprecedented removal by members of his own party. McCarthy served as House Majority Whip from 2011 to 2014, House Majority Leader from 2014 to 2019, and House Minority Leader from 2019 to 2023 before winning the speakership after a protracted 15-ballot election in January 2023.[1] He resigned from Congress at the end of 2023, following his removal as speaker.

Early Life

Kevin Owen McCarthy was born on January 26, 1965, in Bakersfield, California.[2] He grew up in the Bakersfield area, which is located in Kern County in the southern portion of California's San Joaquin Valley. The region is known for its agricultural economy and oil production, and its political culture has historically been more conservative than that of the state's coastal urban centers.

McCarthy's interest in politics and public life developed early. He attended local schools in the Bakersfield area before enrolling at California State University, Bakersfield, where he would complete both his undergraduate and graduate studies. His upbringing in a working-class community in the Central Valley shaped the political identity he would carry into elected office, positioning himself as a representative of the rural and suburban constituencies that formed the backbone of his congressional district.[3]

Before entering politics, McCarthy reportedly won a portion of a state lottery prize, which he used to start a small business — a deli — in Bakersfield. This entrepreneurial experience would later become a part of his political narrative, as he frequently cited his background as a small business owner in legislative discussions concerning economic policy and regulation.

Education

McCarthy earned his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Bakersfield. He subsequently completed a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) at the same institution.[2][3] His educational background at a regional campus of the California State University system distinguished him from many of his peers in congressional leadership, who more commonly held degrees from elite private universities or prestigious law schools. At the time of his candidacy for speaker in 2015, The Washington Post noted that McCarthy would have been among the least credentialed speakers in modern history in terms of his educational pedigree.[4]

Career

California State Assembly

McCarthy began his career in elected office at the state level, serving two terms as a member of the California State Assembly. His time in the state legislature provided him with an introduction to the legislative process and helped him build a political network within Republican circles in California.[2] His tenure in Sacramento was relatively brief, as he soon set his sights on a seat in the United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

McCarthy was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2006, representing California's 22nd congressional district. He took office in January 2007.[2][5] Following redistricting after the 2010 census, he represented California's 23rd congressional district from 2013 to 2023. After further redistricting, he briefly represented California's 20th congressional district in 2023 before his resignation.

His congressional career was marked by a rapid ascent through the ranks of Republican Party leadership. McCarthy was affiliated with the "Young Guns" program, a Republican recruitment and fundraising initiative that also included Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan.[6] The three lawmakers were seen as a new generation of Republican leaders who sought to modernize the party's image and policy agenda.

Rise Through Leadership

McCarthy's trajectory through the House Republican leadership hierarchy was swift. He served as Chief Deputy Whip from January 2009 to January 2011, succeeding Eric Cantor in that role and being succeeded by Peter Roskam.[2] When Republicans won a majority in the House in the 2010 elections, McCarthy was elevated to House Majority Whip, serving in that capacity under Speaker John Boehner from January 2011 to August 2014.[2]

McCarthy's role as whip required him to count votes and rally support for legislation within the Republican conference, a task that demanded considerable interpersonal skill. His amiable demeanor and ability to maintain relationships across the ideological spectrum of the Republican caucus were frequently noted by observers and colleagues. He built a reputation as a coalition-builder and fundraiser, traveling extensively to support Republican candidates in elections across the country.

House Majority Leader

After Eric Cantor suffered a stunning defeat in his 2014 Republican primary election — an unprecedented loss for a sitting majority leader — McCarthy moved quickly to secure the majority leader position. Pete Sessions initially considered entering the race but dropped out.[7] McCarthy was elected by the House Republican Conference as House Majority Leader on August 1, 2014, succeeding Cantor.[2]

As majority leader, McCarthy served under two speakers: John Boehner and Paul Ryan. He managed the day-to-day legislative agenda on the House floor and continued to serve as one of the party's principal fundraisers. During his tenure as majority leader, McCarthy was involved in shepherding key pieces of Republican legislation through the House, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which passed the House in December 2017 before being signed into law by President Donald Trump.[8][9]

2015 Speaker Bid

When Speaker John Boehner announced his resignation in September 2015, McCarthy was initially considered the frontrunner to succeed him.[10][11] However, his candidacy was derailed in part by comments he made in a September 2015 television interview in which he appeared to link the House Select Committee on Benghazi to a decline in Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. McCarthy stated: "Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping."[12]

The remarks drew widespread criticism, as they appeared to confirm Democratic accusations that the Benghazi investigation was politically motivated rather than a genuine fact-finding effort.[13][14] McCarthy subsequently withdrew from the speaker's race in October 2015, and Paul Ryan was eventually elected speaker instead.[15]

House Minority Leader

Following the 2018 midterm elections, in which Republicans lost their House majority, and after Paul Ryan's retirement from Congress, McCarthy was elected House Minority Leader in January 2019.[2] He served as the leader of the House Republican Conference throughout the 116th and 117th Congresses.

As Minority Leader, McCarthy's relationship with President Donald Trump became a central feature of his political profile. After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, McCarthy supported Trump's claims of election fraud and initially participated in efforts to challenge the certification of the results. Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the electoral vote count, McCarthy reversed his previous comments on voter fraud and publicly blamed Trump for the riot. However, by 2022, McCarthy had publicly reconciled with Trump, visiting him at Mar-a-Lago and reaffirming their political alliance.[3]

McCarthy led the House Republicans through the 2022 midterm elections, in which the party regained control of the House but with a narrower-than-expected majority. The slim margins would prove consequential for McCarthy's ability to govern as speaker.

Speakership

Historic 15-Ballot Election

When the 118th United States Congress convened in January 2023, McCarthy was the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House. However, a group of conservative Republican holdouts refused to support his candidacy on the initial ballot, denying him the majority needed for election. What followed was a prolonged and historic series of votes — 15 ballots over several days — the first time since 1859 that a speaker election had required more than one ballot.[3]

McCarthy secured the speakership on January 7, 2023, only after extensive negotiations with conservative members of his conference, during which he agreed to a series of concessions, including a rule change that would allow a single member to force a vote on removing the speaker — a procedural mechanism known as a motion to vacate the chair. He succeeded Nancy Pelosi as speaker.[3]

Debt Ceiling Crisis

One of the most significant challenges of McCarthy's speakership was a standoff between the House Republican conference and the Biden administration over raising the federal debt ceiling. The confrontation escalated into the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis, which threatened to result in the first-ever default on United States government obligations. After weeks of negotiations, the parties reached an agreement in the form of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which suspended the debt ceiling while imposing certain spending constraints. The legislation passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by President Biden.[3]

The passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act required McCarthy to rely on Democratic votes to supplement support from moderate Republicans, a dynamic that frustrated conservative members of his conference who had sought deeper spending cuts.

Removal as Speaker

In September 2023, McCarthy again turned to bipartisan support, working with Democrats to pass a continuing resolution that averted a government shutdown. The move provoked a direct challenge from Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, who filed a motion to vacate the chair — the procedural tool that McCarthy had agreed to empower during his speaker election negotiations.

On October 3, 2023, following a largely unprecedented floor debate in which members of the majority party openly debated the removal of their own speaker, the House voted to vacate the chair. McCarthy was removed as speaker, becoming the first speaker in American history to be ousted during a legislative session. His tenure of approximately nine months was the third-shortest for any speaker of the House.[3]

McCarthy did not seek the speakership again in the subsequent election. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was eventually elected as his successor.

Resignation from Congress

Following his removal as speaker, McCarthy announced that he would resign from the House of Representatives. He formally left Congress at the end of 2023, concluding a career in the House that had spanned more than sixteen years.[3]

Post-Congressional Career

After leaving Congress, McCarthy has remained active in Republican political circles and as a media commentator. He has appeared on Fox News and other outlets to offer political analysis and commentary on national affairs.[16] In December 2025, he appeared alongside former Senator Joe Manchin on C-SPAN to discuss bipartisan cooperation and political polarization.[17]

In 2025, McCarthy was reported to be working behind the scenes to organize Republican opposition to redistricting efforts by California Democrats, maintaining an active role in state and national Republican politics.[18] He has also offered public commentary on Democratic electoral strategy, noting after a 2026 Texas special election that the winning Democratic candidate had adopted messaging and positions that "looked like a Republican."[19][20]

Personal Life

McCarthy has been a longtime resident of Bakersfield, California, where he has maintained his home and family throughout his political career. His roots in the community are deep, and he has been known for his connections to the local business and civic communities in Kern County.[2]

McCarthy's district was known for its agricultural output and energy production, and constituents in the region periodically called for more direct engagement from their representative. Local media reported on instances in which voters organized to request town hall meetings with McCarthy.[21] McCarthy held public events in his district, including a town hall meeting broadcast on C-SPAN.[22] During the political tensions of 2017, protesters gathered outside a hotel where McCarthy was scheduled to speak at a Republican dinner event.[23]

Legacy

Kevin McCarthy's political career is defined by both his rapid rise through House Republican leadership and the historic nature of his removal from the speakership. His ascent from a state assembly member to Speaker of the House illustrated the importance of coalition-building, fundraising, and interpersonal relationships in the internal politics of the U.S. Congress. As a member of the "Young Guns" generation alongside Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan, McCarthy was part of a cohort that reshaped the Republican Party's approach to recruitment, messaging, and legislative strategy during the Obama and Trump eras.[24]

His speakership, though brief, encompassed significant legislative and institutional events. The resolution of the 2023 debt-ceiling crisis through the Fiscal Responsibility Act demonstrated McCarthy's willingness to pursue bipartisan compromise under extraordinary pressure, even as that approach ultimately contributed to his removal. The 15-ballot speaker election in January 2023 and the October 2023 motion to vacate were both historic firsts that underscored the challenges of governing with a narrow majority and a deeply divided conference.

McCarthy's ouster as speaker set a precedent in American legislative history. He was the first speaker to be removed from the position through a motion to vacate during a legislative session, an event that prompted broader discussions about the stability of House leadership and the power of small factions within legislative bodies to shape or obstruct governance. The concessions he made during his speaker election — particularly the single-member threshold for triggering a motion to vacate — became a subject of study and debate among political scientists and congressional observers.

His congressional record is documented in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress and through his legislative activity tracked by Congress.gov.[2][25]

References

  1. ↑ "Kevin McCarthy | Biography, Family, Education, & Facts".Encyclopedia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 "McCarthy, Kevin Owen".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m001165.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Kevin McCarthy | Biography, Family, Education, & Facts".Encyclopedia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kevin-McCarthy-politician.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Kevin McCarthy would be the least experienced House speaker since 1891".The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/28/kevin-mccarthy-would-be-the-least-experienced-house-speaker-since-1891/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Kevin McCarthy – Candidate Overview".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6CA22125.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "About – GOP Young Guns".GOP Young Guns.http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Pete Sessions Drops Out of Majority Leader Race".Roll Call.http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/petesessions-drops-out-of-majority-leader-race/?dcz=.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Tax Bill Vote: How Each House Member Voted".The New York Times.2017-12-19.https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "President Trump signs tax reform bill into law".Watchdog.org.https://www.watchdog.org/national/president-trump-signs-tax-reform-bill-into-law/article_1a0279ce-e734-11e7-8c25-ffb6b3cb669a.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "John Boehner Will Resign as Speaker".The Atlantic.https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/john-boehner-will-resign-as-speaker/407374/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "House Speaker John Boehner to resign — Live updates".The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/liveblog/house-speaker-john-boehner-to-resign-live-updates/#0ef33d2c-bc47-43c8-8de5-d6d4040cb61c.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Boehner's likely successor credits Benghazi committee for lowering Hillary Clinton's poll numbers".The Washington Post.2015-09-30.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/30/boehners-likely-successor-credits-benghazi-committee-for-lowering-hillary-clintons-poll-numbers/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Kevin McCarthy's comments about Benghazi should raise a red flag for Republicans".The Washington Post.2015-09-30.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/30/kevin-mccarthys-comments-about-benghazi-should-raise-a-red-flag-for-republicans/?postshare=9941443627166312.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Kevin McCarthy Steps Into a Faux Outrage".The Atlantic.https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/kevin-mccarthy-steps-into-a-faux-outrage/408253/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "House Speaker Vote".The New York Times.2015-10-08.https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Trump likely to 'set a record' for longest SOTU and will do so on 'merit': Kevin McCarthy".Fox News.https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389772440112.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Ceasefire with Joe Manchin and Kevin McCarthy".C-SPAN.2025-12-18.https://www.c-span.org/program/ceasefire/ceasefire-with-joe-manchin-and-kevin-mccarthy/670631.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Kevin McCarthy reemerges to fight California redistricting".Politico.2025-08-15.https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/15/kevin-mccarthy-reemerges-to-fight-california-redistricting-00511658.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "McCarthy: Victorious Texas Democrat 'looked like a Republican'".The Hill.https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5720185-mccarthy-texas-democrat-republican/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Dems in Texas got candidate who resembled Republican: Ex-House speaker".NewsNation.https://www.newsnationnow.com/katie-pavlich-tonight/democrats-republicans-texas-kevin-mccarthy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Local voters call for town hall meeting with Rep. McCarthy".Bakersfield Now.http://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/local-voters-call-for-town-hall-meeting-with-rep-mccarthy.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Representative McCarthy Town Hall Meeting".C-SPAN.https://www.c-span.org/video/?293842-1/representative-mccarthy-town-hall-meeting.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Protesters gather outside hotel where Congressman Kevin McCarthy was set to speak at a GOP dinner".KERO-TV.http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/protesters-gather-outside-hotel-where-congressman-kevin-mccarthy-was-set-to-speakat-a-gop-dinner.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "About – GOP Young Guns".GOP Young Guns.http://www.gopyoungguns.com/about/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Member Profile: Kevin McCarthy".Congress.gov.https://www.congress.gov/member/kevin-mccarthy/1833.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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