By The FirstRep. Andy Biggs of Arizona has announced his intention to run against Rep. Kevin McCarthy for speaker of the House. Rep. Biggs is a stalwart conservative and the former chairman of the house Freedom Caucus.
“It is time. It is time for new leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives,” Rep. Biggs wrote in an announcement posted on The Daily Caller. “People are thrilled that Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s reign of Leftist extremism is ending. The question is whether we will be treated to the status quo that will move us along the same path, though perhaps more slowly.”
Biggs went on to criticize McCarthy, the frontrunner for the speaker slot, for what he called a “lack of leadership.”
“We cannot let this all too rare opportunity to effectuate structural change pass us by because it is uncomfortable to challenge the Republican candidate who is a creature of the establishment status quo, or because the challenge is accompanied by some minimal risk,” wrote Biggs.
Although a number of House Republicans have already pledged not to vote for McCarthy, Rep. Biggs faces an uphill battle for the speaker’s gavel.
The House is set to vote for speaker on January 3, and McCarthy will need the support of a majority of members. Biggs’ candidacy could spell trouble for McCarthy, and force Republicans to rally around a compromise candidate.
