Kevin McCarthy is quietly plotting revenge against the Republicans who took away his dream job as speaker of the House, according to a report.
The recently retired congressman and his allies are working to recruit primary challengers for the eight GOP lawmakers who voted to oust him from his leadership role, and they've identified Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Bob Good (R-VA) and Eli Crane (R-AZ) as the most vulnerable, reported Politico.
“These traitors chose to side with Nancy Pelosi, AOC and over 200 Democrats to undermine the institution, their fellow Republicans and a duly elected Speaker,” said Brian O. Walsh, the McCarthy ally who's overseeing the recruiting. “There must be consequences for that decision.”
McCarthy isn't involved in the project's daily operations, but Walsh is acting with his blessing, and the former House speaker's allies say that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and the seven other Republicans who betrayed him should be worried.
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“One of the most dangerous things that you could do is have an untethered McCarthy,” said Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), one of his former top lieutenants. “In terms of some of the people that have done stupid things over the past several months.”
One of the so-called "Gaetz Eight" told Politico on the condition of anonymity that a potential primary challenger declined the offer and reached out to reveal details of a recruitment effort by a McCarthy associate.
“McCarthy is trying to get somebody,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC). “I know he’s been contacting people.”
