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U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser says he’s out of the speaker race barely 24 hours after he got in
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) leaves a closed-door House Republican meeting at the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House Republican caucus is searching for a new Speaker of the House candidate after Rep. Jim Jordan failed on three separate attempts to achieve a majority of votes in the House of Representatives. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-9th District) said Monday night he would not continue in the race to become the next Speaker of the House, a little more than 24 hours after he announced he was a candidate.
“We must, this week, come together as Republicans and elect a new speaker and get back to work, Meuser said in a statement Monday night. “Growing our Republican majority in the House, winning the Senate, and electing President Trump in 2024 is the best way to move our country forward.”
He added that he had made a commitment to former President Donald Trump “to help lead his campaign in Pennsylvania. I want to focus on this commitment, as well as the House and PA Senate race, so therefore, I am withdrawing from the Speaker’s race. I believe the House will elect a new Speaker, and I know we will be in good hands with one of our colleagues running. I’ve spoken to President Trump, and he supports my decision.”
The House has been without a speaker since Oct. 3, when Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California was ousted by a group hard-right Republicans who voted along with House Democrats to remove him. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has served as speaker pro tempore since. Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio both made unsuccessful bids for the role.
“Our current challenge as a Conference is not policy or fundraising but unity,” Meuser said in his statement on Sunday announcing his candidacy. “In selecting our next Speaker, we are really choosing to unite and be a team and collectively be stewards of America’s best interests. We also need a Speaker who understands they must continue to earn the respect and trust of the vast majority if not all of the Conference.”
There are eight remaining Republicans vying for the speaker role; the list includes Reps. Austin Scott of Georgia, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Jack Bergman of Michigan, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Byron Donalds of Florida, Gary Palmer of Alabama, and Pete Sessions of Texas.
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