House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., made it known unambiguously on Wednesday that he wants to be the next speaker.
While speaking to students at a conference hosted by Turning Point USA, the No. 2 House Republican spoke about the need for Republicans to hold the House in November and to deny House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the speakership. He went on to say that he wants the top job.
[Related: Kevin McCarthy taps new leader for his political operation as he prepares for possible speakership]
“We are going to have a fight on our hands in this next election. History is against us,” McCarthy said, noting that the party in power has only twice gained seats in the chamber since World War II and House Republicans’ tenuous 23-seat advantage.
“I do not want to see Nancy to come back as speaker. I want the next speaker to come from California, but I don’t want it to be Nancy. I want it to be me.”
McCarthy told the Washington Examiner following the event that the comment reflected his desire to hold the House and to ensure a Republican becomes the next speaker.
The remarks come less than four months out from the November midterm elections. According to the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ Larry Sabato, Democrats are now “soft favorites” to retake the chamber in November and eclipse the 218 marker.
McCarthy is considered to be the frontrunner to replace House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., if Republicans maintain their majority after the elections. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., also kicked the tires on a possible speaker’s bid, but has since joined Ryan and others in supporting McCarthy for the post.
The California Republican, who is also a top ally of President Trump, has been a key cog in the Republican fundraising apparatus and push toward the midterms, having raised over $12 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $40 million during the entire cycle. Of that total, he has contributed $20 million to candidates.
