PA lawmaker running for speaker bails an hour after plugging himself on Fox

He was all in and then shortly afterward, he was all out.

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) was one of nine lawmakers vying to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy in hopes of becoming the next House Speaker.

And Meuser wasn't shy about sharing why he would be the best candidate to lead the house out of D.C. dysfunction.

"I have a plan that will make the Speaker's office more -- we will put members first," he said during an appearance on Fox Business, that he pinned to his Twitter/X feed.

Minutes later, he replaced the almost three-minute self-boosting soundbite for speaker with a concession thread explaining why he was no longer seeking the gavel.

"...I want to focus on this commitment, as well as the House and PA Senate race, so therefore, I am withdrawing from the Speaker’s race," he posted on social media.

"I believe the House will elect a new Speaker, and I know we will be in good hands with one of our colleagues running. I've spoken to President Trump, and he supports my decision.”

He reportedly made an announcement to widespread applause.

"After giving his speech at tonight’s candidate forum, Rep. Dan Meuser dropped out of the speaker’s race, per members in the room," wrote CNN's Melanie Zanona in a social media post during the candidates' forum. "He got a standing ovation, and members said it was an honorable move. Eight others are still in the running. Forum still ongoing."

But prior to speaking to former President Donald Trump, Meuser was bolder on Speaker Meuser the unifier.

"We will expand member's services, he said during his appearance on the cable news outlet. "It will be more inclusionary. It will be one that brings the ideas in so that there's ownership by members. I mean we need 217 out of 222. We need everyone to feel ownership on the direction we're going and that builds team culture."

He added: "We obviously have a need for someone to come in and unite. You hear that word a lot these days. But I have a plan for how we can come together."

Out of the crowded field, Meuser was the one chest-thumping about being ready and willing to lead.

"I’m a problem-solving conservative who has a plan to unite the Republican Conference," he said. "My plan will ensure the Speaker’s office puts members first – we will expand member services, be more inclusionary, and bring all members in to build a team culture.

"It's time to get back to work for the American people."

An hour later, he was back to being content as a rank-and-file representative.

The remaining eight left in the running are: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN), Republican Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson (LA), Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern (OK), Jack Bergman (MI), Byron Donalds (FL), Gary Palmer (AL), Austin Scott (GA), and Pete Sessions (TX).

See the video from Meuser below or at the link here.