House freshman wins RSC chair

Freshman Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) on Thursday was elected as the next chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC).

{mosads}Walker prevailed over Rep. Andy Harris (Md.), a Freedom Caucus member who had been endorsed by the RSC’s founders.

“Looking at the election results, it is clear the American people want to reclaim constitutional principles and reinvigorate our economy. It is unacceptable for us not to deliver on the faith the voters have invested in us,” Walker said in a statement.

Walker will succeed outgoing RSC Chairman Rep. Bill Flores (Texas), who lost a bid for House GOP vice chairman earlier this week.

The RSC is the largest of the three main factions of House Republicans. It currently comprises more than 70 percent of the 247-member GOP conference.

The centrist Tuesday Group and hard-line Freedom Caucus make up the other two groups.

RSC members have tended to work more behind the scenes with leadership, unlike the Freedom Caucus that often voted as a roughly 40-member bloc and clashed publicly with leaders.