Speaker of the House John Boehner had some interesting words for South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy Tuesday: run for House Majority Leader.
Politico reports that as buzz raged Tuesday over Gowdy running for Speaker or House Majority Leader, the departing House leader met with Gowdy and encouraged him to get in the HOuse leadership race.
“Speaker John Boehner secretly met with Rep. Trey Gowdy Tuesday to encourage him to jump into the race for House majority leader, a dramatic attempt by the chamber’s top Republican to try to influence the intraparty election.
The previously undisclosed meeting reveals new behind-the-scenes involvement by Boehner, who has not endorsed any candidates in the leadership race. That the Ohio Republican inserted himself in the contest underscores his concern about who succeeds him in GOP leadership. Boehner requested the meeting after word spread that Gowdy was considering a bid for the post.”
Politico also reports that Boehner and other “establishment types” believe Gowdy could be immensely helpful to current HML Kevin McCarthy as he attempts to replace Boehner as House Speaker, with a McCarthy/Gowdy ticket helpful to avoiding drama on the floor.
“Many Republicans close to Boehner and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy believe Gowdy could help protect the California Republican’s right flank. McCarthy allies fear hard-line conservatives could block his ascent to the speaker’s chair during the vote on the House floor, throwing the chamber into turmoil.
Boehner (R-Ohio) “has always been a fan of Trey’s and thinks he’s done a tremendous job as chairman of the Benghazi select committee and he thinks he would do the same thing if he had gotten into the leader race,” said one Boehner confidant with knowledge of the meeting.”
