The dynamics of the impending race for the third-ranking House GOP leadership spot, if the party wins a majority in the midterm elections, shrunk with Rep. Patrick McHenry opting against a bid.
Rather than running for majority whip, a role that will come open if Republicans win control of the House in November, the North Carolina Republican will seek the chairmanship of the House Financial Services Committee. McHenry, first elected to the House in 2004, is the ranking Republican on the powerful panel.
McHenry’s choice is notable because he has previously been a member of the House Republican leadership, holding the chief deputy whip role in the last House GOP majority from 2017-2019. Punchbowl News first reported McHenry’s decision.
House Republicans need to net five seats in the 435-member chamber to win the majority. For McHenry, leadership options could await in the future. McHenry, a proflic fundraiser, must give up his spot atop the Financial Services Committee after the 2024 elections due to House Republican Conference term limits.
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While no members have officially announced their candidacy for House majority whip, multiple lawmakers have privately expressed interest to a handful of colleagues.
Current Chief Deputy Whip Drew Ferguson of Georgia, a well-liked member within the conference; National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who is serving his second term leading the House GOP’s campaign arm; and Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Banks of Indiana are all seen as potential contenders for the role. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York has also been floated for the position.
“Emmer and Ferguson would both be clear front-runners and have strong relationships with members,” one senior GOP aide said.
As November grows nearer, shadow races for leadership have already begun.
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If Emmer opts against running for another term as NRCC’s chairman, two sources told the Washington Examiner that House Republican Conference Secretary Richard Hudson of North Carolina and Rep. Darin LaHood of Illinois are considering running for the position.
Four sources confirmed to the Washington Examiner last month that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California is weighing adding another position to the leadership table: chairman of the Elected Leadership Conference.
Multiple sources said they believe the California Republican is well-positioned to become House speaker, despite recently coming under fire for denying a report that he weighed calling for former President Donald Trump to step down following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. A recording of him making similar remarks was later released.
