Kevin McCarthy ouster pays off handsomely for Matt Gaetz and other GOP rebels

Taking down House Speaker Kevin McCarthy paid off for his Republican enemies.

Six of the eight GOP lawmakers who joined Democrats to oust the former speaker saw an increase in small-dollar donations from the third to fourth quarter of last year, according to a Politico analysis of campaign finance disclosures.

And ringleader Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) enjoyed the biggest boost.

“As the only Republican in Congress who refuses all lobbyist and PAC donations, we are humbled and honored by the support we have received from across the country,” Gaetz said in a statement. “And we hope folks keep giving!”

Between the third and fourth quarter, the Florida Republican raked in an additional $725,000 from individual donors giving less than $200 and saw the second-highest percentage growth, only behind likely Senate candidate Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT).

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Gaetz made McCarthy's route to the speakership tortuous and made life difficult for the California Republican throughout his brief tenure holding the gavel, and he used that notoriety to raise nearly $770,000 in the third quarter of the year. His fundraising exploded to $1.8 million over the last three months of 2023.

Three other members — Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Bob Good (R-VA) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) — also saw a boost in the fundraising, but the other four Republicans — retiring Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), first-term Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rosendale and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) — raised less money in that period.

McCarthy allies, led by Brian O. Walsh, are recruiting primary challengers to the so-called "Gaetz Eight" as revenge for taking him down as speaker, and they've identified Crane, Good and Mace as particularly vulnerable, according to a report.