Kevin McCarthy: I Want the Next House Speaker to Be Me

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., made it very clear Wednesday he wants to be the next Speaker.

"I want the next Speaker to come from California – I just don't want it to be [Democratic leader Rep.] Nancy [Pelosi]," McCarthy said. "I want it to be me."

His comments came in a speech at the High School Leadership Summit hosted by the conservative group Turning Point USA. McCarthy's remarks were included in a report posted by The Hill.

Even though retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has endorsed him, Republicans will have to retain their majority in the House for him to have a shot at the post.

"We all think that Kevin is the right person," Ryan told NBC's "Meet the Press" in April.

McCarthy urged those in the audience on Wednesday to get involved in the midterm elections even if they are unable to vote, according to The Hill.

"History is against us," McCarthy said. "Only two times since World War II has the party in power actually picked up seats in an off-presidential year. If we're successful in this next one, the next century will be ours."

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