Kevin McCarthy

Kevin Owen McCarthy (born January 26, 1965) is an American politician. He was the 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives from January 7, 2023 to October 3, 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming speaker, he was the House minority leader of the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. He was the U.S. representative for California's 23rd district from 2007 to 2023.

McCarthy was voted out as speaker on October 3, 2023 by several members of his own party. His time as speaker was the third-shortest for a Speaker of the House in United States history, and he is the first speaker to ever be removed from the role during a legislative session.

Early life
McCarthy was born on January 26, 1965, in Bakersfield, California. In 1984, at age 19, McCarthy ran his first business selling sandwiches out of the back of his uncle's yogurt shop on Stine Road.

McCarthy studied at California State University, Bakersfield, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing in 1989 and a Master of Business Administration in 1994. During college, he worked as a seasonal firefighter for the Kern County Fire Department.

Early political career
McCarthy was elected to the California State Assembly in 2002. He became the Republican floor leader in 2003. In 2006, McCarthy was first elected to the United States House of Representatives as a representative for California's 22nd district. 

2015 speaker campaign
On September 25, 2015, John Boehner announced his intention to resign as speaker of the House effective October 30, 2015. Many media outlets speculated that McCarthy would likely replace him. He was the presumptive successor to Speaker John Boehner.McCarthy's comments about Benghazi should raise a red flag for Republicans, Washington Post, Chris Cillizza, September 30, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015. 

On September 28, McCarthy formally announced his candidacy for Speaker of the House. Having held congressional office for less than nine years, McCarthy would have been the least experienced Speaker since 1891.Kevin McCarthy would be the least experienced House Speaker since 1891, Washington Post, Phillip Bump, September 28, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015. On October 8, 2015, McCarthy dropped out of the race for Speaker of the House. 

In October 2015, McCarthy was accused of having an affair with Representative Renee Ellmers. He had unexpectedly dropped out of the race for Speaker of the House shortly before the allegations surfaced.

Speaker of the House of Representatives (2023)
2023 speaker campaign
He led the Republicans in gaining narrow control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections; however he failed to win the Speakership on the first fourteen ballots upon the start of the 118th Congress. He was criticized by far-right conservatives which refused to vote him in as speaker. He was elected speaker on the fifteenth ballot on January 7, 2023.

Removal from office
On October 3, 2023, he was voted out of his role as Speaker of the House making it the first time in U.S. history that one has been removed during a legislative term. Voting to remove McCarthy were House Democrats and eight House Republicans: Gaetz, Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Bob Good, Nancy Mace, and Matt Rosendale. After the vote, McCarthy announced he would not seek the speakership again. He was replaced by Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson on October 25, 2023.

Retirement
On December 6, 2023, McCarthy announced that he would be resigning from the House at the end of that year. His term officially ended on December 31, 2023.

Personal life
McCarthy and his wife, Judy, have two children. He and his family are Baptists and members of the Southern Baptist Convention.

References

Other websites
 Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
 Congressman Kevin McCarthy  official U.S. House site
 Kevin McCarthy for Congress




Category:1965 births
Category:Living people
Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives
Category:Politicians from Bakersfield, California
Category:Businesspeople from Bakersfield, California
Category:United States representatives from California
Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians
Category:State legislators of the United States
Category:Minority leaders of the United States House of Representatives
Category:Majority leaders of the United States House of Representatives