Newly elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy. (Shutterstock.com)
Just weeks after his historically short term as speaker ended, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced on Wednesday that he will be leaving Congress at the end of the year.
In an editorial published by the Wall Street Journal, McCarthy said that he would be stepping down from Congress "to serve America in new ways."
"I never could have imagined the journey when I first threw my hat into the ring," McCarthy added. "I go knowing I left it all on the field—as always, with a smile on my face. And looking back, I wouldn’t have had it any other way."
McCarthy lasted less than a year as speaker before eight members of his own party, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) voted with all House Democrats to oust him.
This set off a lengthy battle for the speakership that saw multiple prominent Republicans, including Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) watch their bids go down in flames.
Eventually, House Republicans settled on current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), but bitterness over the dispute has remained, as McCarthy has hinted that he will seek revenge against the eight Republicans who voted to give him the boot.
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