Both current and incoming House Republicans from swing districts that President Joe Biden won in 2020 are pledging to support only House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for speaker of the House.
In a letter sent to their Republican colleagues Thursday, 15 signers, made up of six current members and nine incoming members, said that they will not support "any so-called shadow 'consensus candidate'" for speaker.
"Let us be clear: We are not only supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker, but are not open to any so-called shadow 'consensus candidate' — regardless of how many votes it takes to elect Speaker-designate McCarthy," the letter said.
McCarthy is attempting to secure enough support to be chosen as speaker when the new Congress convenes on Tuesday.