Kevin McCarthy

Kevin McCarthy
US House Photography · Public domain · source
Name	Kevin McCarthy
Caption	Official portrait, 2023
Office	55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Term start	January 7, 2023
Term end	October 3, 2023
Predecessor	Nancy Pelosi
Successor	Mike Johnson
Office1	House Minority Leader
Term start1	2019
Term end1	2023
Predecessor1	Nancy Pelosi
Successor1	Hakeem Jeffries
Office2	House Majority Leader
Term start2	2014
Term end2	2019
Predecessor2	Eric Cantor
Successor2	Steny Hoyer
State3	California
District3	20th (2013–2023), 22nd (2007–2013)
Term start3	January 3, 2007
Term end3	December 31, 2023
Predecessor3	Bill Thomas
Successor3	Vacant
Party	Republican
Alma mater	California State University, Bakersfield (BS)
Birth date	26 January 1965
Birth place	Bakersfield, California, U.S.

Kevin McCarthy is an American politician who served as the 55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from January to October 2023, representing California in the U.S. House from 2007 until his resignation in 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he held several leadership roles, including House Majority Leader and House Minority Leader. His tenure as Speaker was historically brief, ending with his removal from the position by a motion to vacate, a first in U.S. history.

Early life and education

Born in Bakersfield, California, he was raised in the city and attended local schools before enrolling at California State University, Bakersfield. He earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing and later completed coursework toward an MBA. During his youth, he worked for his uncle's yogurt business and won a state lottery drawing, using the funds to help launch his first venture. His early professional experience included owning a deli and serving as a district representative for his predecessor, Congressman Bill Thomas.

Early political career

His initial foray into politics began with his election to the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees. He then successfully ran for a seat in the California State Assembly in 2002, representing the 32nd district. In the State Assembly, he quickly ascended to the role of Minority Leader, working alongside figures like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His tenure in Sacramento was marked by efforts to build the California Republican Party and recruit candidates, laying the groundwork for his move to federal office.

U.S. House of Representatives

First elected to the United States Congress in 2006, he represented California's 22nd congressional district before redistricting shifted him to the 20th district. He joined the House Republican leadership early, serving as Chief Deputy Whip under John Boehner. Following the 2010 Republican wave and the rise of the Tea Party movement, he was elected House Majority Whip. After Eric Cantor's primary defeat in 2014, he was elevated to House Majority Leader, a position he held until Democrats regained the majority in the 2018 elections, after which he became House Minority Leader.

Speakership and removal

After the Republican Party retook the House in the 2022 midterms, he endured a historic 15 ballots over four days before securing the Speakership in January 2023, making concessions to a bloc of conservatives including members of the House Freedom Caucus. His speakership was dominated by negotiations over the debt ceiling and federal spending, culminating in a last-minute deal to avert a government shutdown in September 2023. This deal prompted Matt Gaetz to file a motion to vacate; on October 3, 2023, he was removed from office by a vote of the House, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats. He resigned from Congress at the end of December 2023.

Political positions

A fiscal conservative, he consistently supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and advocated for reduced federal spending and a balanced budget amendment. On energy, he promoted policies favoring the oil and gas industry, critical to his district. He was a staunch supporter of Israel and took a hardline stance against the Iran nuclear deal. While initially critical of Donald Trump after the January 6 Capitol attack, he later reconciled with the former president, visiting him at Mar-a-Lago. He opposed the formation of the January 6 committee and voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Electoral history

His first federal election victory was in 2006 for California's 22nd congressional district, succeeding Bill Thomas. He was reelected comfortably in every subsequent cycle, including in the redrawn 20th district from 2012 onward, often with over 60% of the vote. His most significant electoral challenge came from within his own party during the protracted Speaker election in January 2023. Following his removal as Speaker, he did not seek reelection to the House in 2024.

Category:American politicians