INSIDE D.C. WITH JOHN GIZZI NEWSMAX WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT
Trump’s Hand in Arizona • When Arizona’s Rep. Debbie Lesko announced her surprise retirement earlier this year, venture capitalist and 2022 Senate nominee Blake Masters promptly declared for her District 8 seat. Up to that point, Masters had been expected to make another race for the Senate seat sought by incumbent Kyrsten Sinema — who is running for reelection as an independent, leaving the Democrat nomination to liberal Rep. Ruben Gallego. As to why he would forsake a very winnable Senate seat for a House race, sources in the Grand Canyon State say it was Donald Trump who convinced friend Masters to switch and make room for an even closer friend — Kari Lake, who lost a close race for governor in ’22 and now very much wants the Senate seat.
Stefanik for VP • For those who were shocked by the normally mild-mannered New York Rep. Elise Stefanik’s fi ery speech in October — while nominating Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., for House speaker — one Stefanik watcher off ered this explanation to Newsmax: The House GOP Conference chair was auditioning to become former President Donald Trump’s running mate. The New Yorker and
54 NEWSMAX | DECEMBER 2023
one-time Bush White House staff er spoke of “the incompetence and negligence of the Biden administration” and how the federal government “has been illegally weaponized against we the people” — drawing wild cheers from the GOP side of the aisle and strong boos from the Democrat side. “But it didn’t matter,” our source told us. “Elise was playing for an audience of one, and he’s the only one she has to please.”
Rivals for Governor • More than a few Republican House members were surprised to see Florida Rep. Byron Donalds jump into the fi nal round of the speaker selection. Donalds, who got 29 votes on an earlier ballot before the fi nal vote that was won by Louisiana’s Mike Johnson, had previously told several colleagues he would not be in the House long because he planned to run for governor in 2026 (when incumbent Republican Ron DeSantis is termed out). An outspoken conservative and one of only four Black House Republicans, Donalds has a fervent following among MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republicans. Ironically, so does another Sunshine State member of Congress — Matt Gaetz, who is also widely expected to make a run for governor in ’26.
‘Gang’ at Half Strength • There’s a good chance that four — or possibly more — of the eight GOP House members who gave Democrats the votes needed to bring down former Speaker Kevin McCarthy may not be around after next year. Rep. Nancy Mace faces a rematch with near- triumphant 2022 primary foe Katie Arrington in
South Carolina’s District 1, and in Arizona’s District 2, freshman Rep. Eli Crane could face a rerun of the 2022 primary with runner- up and former state Rep. Walter Blackman. Two others may leave on their own: Montana’s Rep. Matt Rosendale, who is poised to run for Senate next year, and Colorado’s Rep. Ken Buck, who reportedly is negotiating with CNN to be an on-air commentator.
McCarthy, the Sequel?
• While Rep. Kevin McCarthy is no longer House speaker, few Republican colleagues doubt he is already planning a comeback. GOP lawmakers are growing increasingly pessimistic about the 2024 elections because of court rulings ordering new district lines to be drawn in several states. Signs point to Republicans losing one seat in Alabama, as many as four in North Carolina, and fi ve in New York. With the two parties divided by the closest number of seats (fi ve) since 1930, odds are better than even that Democrats could win the majority and, with it, the speakership. Many Republicans feel Speaker Mike Johnson would not wish to remain their leader in the minority, so they believe that outcome paves the way for McCarthy’s return. “And Kevin would have no problem with being minority leader,” said one California GOP member. “He held that job before [2010-2023] and was minority leader in the state Assembly after one term there. So, he’s had a lot of practice.”
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