(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Elise Stefanik, Gary Palmer, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson
House Republicans have elected Rep. Elise Stefanik to the party’s No. 3 post Friday morning, just days after ousting Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney from the position she held for over two years.
A defender of former President Donald Trump, Republicans hope Stefanik will help tame the conflict within the GOP. The New York Representative is a moderate Trump loyalist, supporting his many claims of election fraud and coming out in support of him since his first impeachment in 2019. The vote came as Cheney has been outspoken against Trump’s claims, breaking with many House Republicans who also support Trump.
Thank you to my House GOP colleagues, President Trump, and my constituents in #NY21 for the opportunity to serve as House Republican Conference Chair. I am truly humbled and honored. pic.twitter.com/Seq6lrnh0R
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 14, 2021
Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who has voted more along party lines in the past, launched a bid for the seat as well, but the attempt did not gain much traction, losing 134-46 against Stefanik. Three were cast for three different GOP lawmakers, and nine members voted “present.”
For those interested: pic.twitter.com/fyYtcnbJqv
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 14, 2021
In a statement released shortly after the vote, Stefanik promised growth and protection of the Constitution, blaming the left for much of the problems in the U.S.
“House Republicans are united in our focus to fight on behalf of the American people from the radical Socialist Democrat agenda of President Biden and Nancy Pelosi,” Stefanik said. “The American people are experiencing an economic, a border crisis, an energy crisis, and a nation security crisis due to Far-Left radical policies.”
My statement as the newly elected House GOP Conference Chair. pic.twitter.com/emb6lNxPRm
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 14, 2021
