A red-state dark horse and the New York favorite made their cases to replace ousted Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney as the House GOP’s conference chair Thursday, in what both agreed was a healthy and civil bit of party business.
Chip Roy of Texas and Elise Stefanik of New York vied for the vacant conference chair in a candidate forum with House Republicans described as more sparring match than all-out brawl.
“We’re having a robust debate about issues here, and it’s a good thing. This is a healthy thing. And so, we will see what happens tomorrow,” Roy told reporters after the forum, which lasted about an hour and a half.
House Republicans will choose a replacement for Cheney on Friday, just 48 hours after voting to boot her from her leadership position over frustration with her vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump.
Roy, 48, mounted a last-minute bid for the conference chair position just hours before the scheduled forum, with Colorado Rep. Ken Buck set to nominate him for the position on Friday morning. Earlier in the week, he circulated a memo warning against a “coronation” of Stefanik, noting some of her votes criticized by conservatives.
KEN BUCK TO NOMINATE CHIP ROY FOR CONFERENCE CHAIR AGAINST ELISE STEFANIK
“Anybody has a right to run for any office, and I’m not going to attack anyone for running,” Stefanik said. “It’s healthy to have a debate.”
Two right-wing organizations that previously criticized Stefanik for her voting record endorsed Roy on Thursday evening: FreedomWorks and the Club for Growth. The 36-year-old Stefanik, meanwhile, has endorsements from Trump, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise.
Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, who has been whipping votes for Stefanik since last Tuesday, said that a lot of Roy’s opening argument was “just procedural.” He asked the first question after opening statements: how each of them would put their own interests aside in order to win the House in 2022.
“I don’t fault Chip for doing this. But I do think it’s time to move forward as a party and get behind Elise,” Reschenthaler said.
Despite publicly encouraging Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson to run for the conference chair spot in a Wednesday statement, North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn told reporters as he was leaving the forum that he would support Stefanik.
In addition to Stefanik’s record, the speed at which McCarthy is moving to make her Cheney’s replacement has frustrated some members. But complaints about the timeline have not changed the plan.
“Most members are ready to vote tomorrow,” Scalise said. “I think people appreciate that both Elise and Chip stepped forward and are having a really good, respectful discussion.”
Following news of Roy’s candidacy Thursday, Trump said in a statement that the Texas congressman will “probably be successfully primaried in his own district.”
“This is all D.C. swamp business,” Roy said when asked about Trump’s statement.
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Cheney was not in attendance at the forum. She participated in a Fox News interview while Roy and Stefanik answered questions from their colleagues.
