The Battle of House Primaries: Gaetz vs. McCarthy

Introduction

Republicans are eager to avoid contentious primaries in the upcoming year, but Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), the architect behind Kevin McCarthy's ouster from the speakership, has different plans. Gaetz has been defying party leadership by throwing his support behind congressional hopefuls who are challenging candidates backed by McCarthy. These candidates, handpicked by Gaetz, are all ultra-conservatives running in key races.

Gaetz's Endorsements

Gaetz has endorsed J.R. Majewski, a candidate who lost his bid last year after misrepresenting his combat duty, in the high-stakes race for Ohio's 9th District House seat. He has also voiced support for Elizabeth Helgelien, a former Nevada state senator running in Nevada's 3rd District, and Darren Bailey, an Illinois gubernatorial candidate challenging Republican Rep. Mike Bost in IL-12. All of these candidates are running in primaries against McCarthy-backed candidates.

Clash with McCarthy

Gaetz has a long history of clashing with McCarthy. He refused to vote for McCarthy during the speakership vote in January and played a leading role in McCarthy's removal from his leadership post earlier this year. Gaetz's actions caused chaos in the House and drew criticism from fellow party members. With McCarthy now retiring, Gaetz is going after the candidates chosen by McCarthy.

Importance of Primaries

Gaetz believes that primaries are an essential part of the political process and show the direction the party is moving. He brushed aside questions about backing conservative Republicans who may lose in the general election. However, messy primaries can harm the party's image, especially in battleground districts like OH-09 and NV-03, where losses could cost the party its majority.

The Impact of Gaetz's Involvement

Gaetz's involvement in the OH-09 race had a significant impact. After Gaetz endorsed Majewski and shared an audio clip of Riedel, calling him a "RINO never-Trumper," Riedel's support dwindled. Rep. Max Miller rescinded his endorsement, and Sen. J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Frank LaRose backed Majewski. Republican leadership scrambled to recruit another candidate, creating the possibility of splitting the anti-Majewski vote and sending him to the general election.

Gaetz's Endorsement vs. Support

Gaetz clarified the difference between endorsing a candidate and showing support. He endorsed Bailey's opponent, Bost, during the speakership fight, but showed support for Bailey by sharing Rep. Mary Miller's endorsement of him. Gaetz also shared videos and fundraising pleas from Helgelien, urging his followers to support her.

Conclusion

The battle between Gaetz and McCarthy in House primaries adds to the already tense political landscape. Gaetz's endorsements and support for conservative candidates challenge the party's chosen candidates and could impact the Republican majority. As the primaries unfold, the direction of the party will become clearer.

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By: Madison Fernandez and Gary Fineout
Title: The Battle of House Primaries: Gaetz vs. McCarthy
Sourced From: www.politico.com/news/2023/12/26/the-latest-front-in-the-gaetz-vs-mccarthy-fight-house-primaries-00133131
Published Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2023 05:00:00 EST