Republican who stepped in as acting Speaker when Kevin McCarthy was ousted WON’T seek re-election: Patrick McHenry joins exodus from Congress
- “I will retire from Congress at the end of my current term. This decision was not easy for me, but I believe that everything has its time.”
- McHenry rejected any suggestion that he was leaving due to turmoil in the House of Representatives and was optimistic about the future of the lower chamber.
- “I really feel like this institution is on the cusp of the next great turnaround,” he said.
Former acting Speaker Patrick McHenry will not seek re-election, joining 32 of his House colleagues who have said they will resign or resign during this tumultuous congressional term.
“I will retire from Congress at the end of my current term. This decision has not been taken lightly, but I believe in everything in its time and for me this season has come to an end,” McHenry said in a statement.
The North Carolina Republican will finish nearly 20 years in Congress at the end of his term, rising through the ranks to become chairman of the Financial Services Committee and becoming a close ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
McHenry, along with McCarthy ally Garrett Graves, R-Louisiana, led negotiations with the White House to avoid a debt default under the summer debt-limit agreement.
Former acting Speaker Patrick McHenry will not seek re-election, joining 32 of his House colleagues who have said they will resign or resign during this tumultuous congressional term.
After McCarthy was ousted from the top job in an unprecedented vote, McHenry took charge of the House during three frantic weeks of silence as he decided who would take the job next.
McHenry dismissed any speculation that he would quit amid the turmoil in the House of Representatives and appeared optimistic about the future of the lower chamber.
“There was a lot of hand-wringing and ink spilled about the future of this institution because some, like me, decided to leave. These fears are exaggerated. I’ve seen a lot of changes in twenty years. I really feel like this institution is on the cusp of the next great turnaround,” he said.
“We have seen the House of Representatives evolve over time. Evolutions are often uneven and disjointed, but new leaders emerge at each stage. There are many smart and capable members left, and others are on the way. I am confident that the House of Representatives is in good hands.”
The 48-year-old North Carolina resident has three school-aged children. His district is solidly Republican.
“I will retire from Congress at the end of my current term. This is not a decision I have come to lightly, but I believe there is a time for everything and for me this season has come to an end,” McHenry said in a statement.
The bow-tie-wearing pragmatist is widely respected in both parties, although he has a solid Conservative poll rating. Democratic leaders offered to give McHenry the opportunity to serve as a long-term speaker, although he rejected the idea, apparently more interested in politics than interacting with the various personalities at the conference.
McHenry announced his retirement as viewers speculate whether McCarthy will leave Congress. The former speaker has declined to talk about his plans in recent days, but he is due to file by December 8th.