Kevin McCarthy won't commit to running again

“I will talk to my family about the ideas of what is going forward, and then I will make a decision,” McCarthy said.

Nov 12, 2023 - 20:59
Kevin McCarthy won't commit to running again

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is considering not running for reelection in 2024.

“I got the holidays. I will talk to my family about the ideas of what is going forward, and then I will make a decision,” McCarthy told CNN’s Manu Raju in an interview that aired Sunday.

If he does plan to be on the ballot in 2024, McCarthy would have to decide before California’s Dec. 8 filing deadline.

“I always believe, and you hear me all of the time. You never give up in the process, right? Well, there’s so many ways you can do that to make sure you’re getting the job done. And I’m going to look at all options,” McCarthy said Sunday.

When pressed about whether or not he was leaning toward running for reelection or leaving the House, McCarthy told Raju: “I don’t know.”

POLITICO previously reported that McCarthy was considering forgoing a reelection bid, following his ouster as Speaker, a position he long coveted. But at the time McCarthy denied those reports, and told reporters “yes,” he did plan on running again.

If he were to decide to end his career in Congress, McCarthy's departure would open up the race for his seat in California’s 20th District, and would make him the latest in a line of members who are opting out of reelection bids in 2024. The district is a rarity in California: A safe Republican one.