Stefanik UN nomination sets off scramble for No. 4 leadership post – Washington Examiner
Several House Republicans are vying for the leadership position of GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who is stepping down next year to accept an ambassadorship in the Trump administration. Potential candidates include Reps. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and House GOP Vice Chairman Blake Moore (R-UT), who have started networking to gauge support for the role. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), initially viewed as a frontrunner, has opted out of the race to focus on her responsibilities in Iowa. The competition intensified following Donald Trump’s nomination of Stefanik to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, prompting other lawmakers to prepare for their bids ahead of the announcement deadline.
Stefanik UN nomination sets off scramble for No. 4 leadership post
Several House Republicans have already begun competing for GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik’s (R-NY) leadership post when she steps down from her seat next year to accept an ambassadorship in the Trump administration.
At least three GOP lawmakers have begun fielding calls to their colleagues to gauge support for the party’s No. 4 position in the House, including Reps. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Kat Cammack (R-FL), and House GOP Vice Chairman Blake Moore (R-UT), several sources familiar confirmed to the Washington Examiner. No lawmaker has launched their bid, but those could begin rolling in Monday, which is the last day for lawmakers to announce their intent to run.
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) was initially considered a top contender for the position, but the Iowa Republican took herself out of the running Monday morning.
“I’m humbled that my colleagues would consider me for this important post but I am not running for a leadership position,” Hinson said in a statement. “My focus is on serving Iowa’s Second Congressional District and working to ensure we carry out President Trump’s agenda.”
The scramble to replace Stefanik comes after President-elect Donald Trump revealed late Sunday night that he nominated the New York Republican as his ambassador to the United Nations.
“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,” Trump said in a statement obtained by the Washington Examiner. “Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter.”
Stefanik has long been rumored to be in the running for a position in Trump’s administration if he won the 2024 election.
Stefanik assumed the fourth-highest ranking position in May 2021, quickly establishing herself as a staunch ally of Trump. That loyalty put Stefanik on his initial short list for vice presidential contenders and in consideration for a position in his second administration.
Other lawmakers could still be considering a bid for the position, such as Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who challenged Stefanik for the position last term.
House Republicans will meet Wednesday to elect, or reelect, rather, their slate of top GOP leaders in the lower chamber. Lawmakers have a short window to submit their names for consideration before the conference holds a candidate forum Wednesday morning.
The election will then be open throughout the day. It’s not clear when the results will be announced.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...