The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Former speaker Kevin McCarthy will retire from Congress at end of year

Until a special election is held to fill the seat, McCarthy’s absence will further narrow the Republican majority in the House

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Updated December 6, 2023 at 5:39 p.m. EST|Published December 6, 2023 at 11:21 a.m. EST
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), then House speaker, on Capitol Hill in October. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
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Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was ousted as the 55th House speaker in October after a revolt by hard-right members, will not seek reelection to his congressional seat and will retire at the end of the month, he announced Wednesday.

“I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways,” McCarthy said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. “I know my work is only getting started.”