Wanted by McCarthy critics: 1 qualified alternative speaker

There’s trouble brewing in the House GOP’s anti-Kevin McCarthy ranks. The group of conservatives wreaking havoc in the House GOP conference with their challenge to McCarthy’s bid for speaker is facing internal indecision that may hurt its ability to stay united, according to two Republicans familiar with dynamics in the Freedom Caucus. Most of the Californian’s right-flank critics are members of that dozens-strong Donald Trump-aligned bloc. At the heart of the struggles among McCarthy foes is their lack of a clear plan to take down the GOP leader when the House meets on Jan. 3 to choose its next speaker. Five members openly opposed to McCarthy claim that they have a list of 20-plus detractors set to publicly emerge. But the group has still not agreed on one specific alternative speaker candidate, a major problem that makes their plotting appear slapdash at a time when a show of force is important to maintain momentum in their efforts to topple McCarthy. One chief McCarthy critic, Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), denied any implication that McCarthy detractors were having trouble marshaling like-minded GOP lawmakers.

“There’s no diminishment of that,” Good said in an interview. “There are more of those kinds of people coming to us and asking us what we’re looking for, because they’re interested in being speaker.” Other central players in these strategy meetings include Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), as well as Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.). Boebert, who said she has made up her mind about her vote but not publicly revealed it, has raised outgoing Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) in these closed-door sitdowns as a potential alternative, according to these two people. But Zeldin has signaled support for McCarthy, saying that he believes the current minority leader is backed by an “overwhelming number” of House Republicans. Also openly seeking an alternative speaker candidate is Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who has indicated he has a name in mind but declined to share it, saying it wouldn’t be “fair” to the person. Some fellow Republicans suspect he is rallying around former Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), who led NASA during the Trump administration and, like Zeldin, has taken himself out of the running. Both Zeldin and Bridenstine would make history if they win any GOP floor votes for speaker, becoming two of a handful of non-sitting members to gain support. Yet Norman also may be softening his previously stated hell-no stance on McCarthy for speaker. After taking a firm stance last month, Norman recently shifted to say he is a “no right now” and has four weeks to decide.