Rep. Kevin McCarthy will not run for Speaker of the House of Representatives after his historic ouster from the role this week, according to several reporters and members of the House GOP.
The House voted to oust the California Republican from the speakership on Tuesday after McCarthy worked with Democrats to pass a last-minute spending bill over the weekend and avoid a government shutdown.
McCarthy said he would not run for the open role again in a closed-door GOP meeting Tuesday, according to multiple political reporters, including Politico’s Olivia Beavers and Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman.
“I’m not going to sell my soul to Democrats,” McCarthy said in the meeting, per Sherman. “I’ll still work to get you elected — maybe not all of you because I’m a free agent.”
A cadre of far-right Republicans joined with Democrats to oust McCarthy in a 216-210 vote. The move left the chamber without an elected Speaker of the House but with Rep. Patrick McHenry named as the temporary leader.
A representative for McCarthy did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
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