Freedom Caucus chairman predicts Speaker’s race to be settled before November

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, predicted Wednesday that the race to replace Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will be settled before the midterm elections.

“I think who the next Speaker will be, will certainly be decided before November,” Meadows told reporters. “Not in fact, but probably in practicality.” 

Ryan announced Wednesday morning that he plans to retire from Congress, but he intends to finish out the remainder of his term.

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Speculation had already been swirling about Ryan’s political future, but the official announcement is likely to only heat up a leadership race that had already started behind the scenes.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) are both seen as potential Speakers-in-waiting — or minority leaders if Republicans lose the majority in November.

Meadows said he did not think Ryan would be pushed out early. But when pressed on whether it would be a seven-months-long leadership race, Meadows said he “doubts” it because lawmakers will start jockeying for the position quickly.

“They won’t wait,” he said.