WASHINGTON: Former US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has announced his retirement from Congress, effective at the end of December, as revealed in an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
In the opinion piece, the 58-year-old Republican stated that he has “decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways.” McCarthy’s decision comes after facing challenges within his party, culminating in his removal as Speaker in October following a revolt by some members of the Republican Party.
Kevin McCarthy’s Tenure as Speaker
McCarthy’s tenure as Speaker, which began in January, was marked by internal party conflicts, including a tumultuous election process that required 15 rounds of votes before securing enough support for the role. With this retirement announcement, McCarthy concludes his 16-year career in the House of Representatives.
The departure of McCarthy will trigger a special election to determine his successor, a process that will soon be initiated by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
