A day after announcing his intent to seek the role of Speaker of the House, US Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9) says he’s withdrawing his name from consideration.
Instead, he says in a statement released to The Canary this evening, Meuser intends to focus on running the Pennsylvania campaign to re-elect President Donald Trump in 2024.
He adds that the House will be in good hands with who ultimately gets the nod to be the next Speaker of the House.
“We must, this week, come together as Republicans and elect a new speaker and get back to work. Growing our Republican majority in the House, winning the Senate, and electing President Trump in 2024 is the best way to move our country forward,” Meuser says. “To save America, we must rid Joe Biden from the White House. Biden’s policies have been a disaster – foreign and domestic. That’s why I’ve made a commitment to President Trump to help lead his campaign in Pennsylvania.”
Meuser believes he can’t run the state campaign for Trump and be Speaker at the same time.
“I want to focus on this commitment, as well as the House and PA Senate race, so therefore, I am withdrawing from the Speaker’s race. I believe the House will elect a new Speaker, and I know we will be in good hands with one of our colleagues running. I’ve spoken to President Trump, and he supports my decision,” Meuser says.
Meuser was 1 of 9 Republicans that entered the latest race for Speaker of the House on Sunday. Whoever is chosen as the candidate by the House Republican Conference will be the third to potentially face a full House vote.
Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan each fell short of the votes needed to become Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s replacement after the California Congressman was recently ousted. Scalise and Jordan never faced a full House vote on being the next Speaker.
Meuser represents Schuylkill County, part of the 9th District in Pennsylvania, in Congress.