Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is slated to announce a run for House Republican Conference chairman during an event on Thursday, multiple sources familiar with his plans confirmed.
The freshman lawmaker has been making calls to colleagues in an effort to lock down support for the role, three GOP members told the Washington Examiner.
The position, which is responsible for helping lead the House GOP’s messaging efforts, is currently held by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who replaced Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) in the role after she was ousted from leadership over her criticisms of former President Donald Trump.
DEMOCRATS HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $53M BOOSTING FAR-RIGHT CANDIDATES IN PRIMARIES
Supporters of Donalds’s leadership bid said he could help diversify the leadership and praised his messaging skills.
Donalds was first elected last term and is one of two black GOP lawmakers in the conference.
Shortly after news broke that Donalds is launching a bid, Stefanik announced she will seek a second term in the position, teeing up a race between the two Republicans. Stefanik previously vowed to serve just one term as conference chairwoman.
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“For the next 56 days, I’m laser-focused on working to ensure we earn a historic Republican Majority,” Stefanik said in a statement. “I am proud to have unified the entire Republican Conference around our country in crisis message and shattered fundraising records as House GOP Conference Chair, raising over $10M for candidates and committees this cycle. With the broad support of NY21 and my House GOP colleagues, I intend to run for Conference Chair in the next Congress.”
