Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) was elected as the new chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus on Tuesday night, three lawmakers told The Hill. Harris was officially selected to replace Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), who was defeated in the primary earlier this year.
The group selected Ms. Harris as chair shortly after Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., a former leader of the coalition, dropped her from the running, members said. Ms. Harris and Biggs were the finalists for the position.
The vote took place during the group's weekly meetings.
Goode resigned as chair of the Freedom Caucus last week after losing reelection to former President Trump-backed candidate John Maguire. Goode was due to serve out his term until December 2025, but his defeat meant he could not complete his term.
But Harris' term as chair will expire in 2024, one of the lawmakers said, giving the Freedom Caucus a new opportunity to select a leader in the coming months.
Representing Maryland's 1st Congressional District, Harris has served in the House of Representatives since 2011. She currently serves as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee, making her an intriguing choice to lead the Freedom Caucus, which often finds itself at odds with leadership in spending battles.
The Freedom Caucus has exerted great influence in this Congress and has influenced the policies pursued by the leadership.
For example, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) plans to hold a vote on the group's preferred method of funding the government on Wednesday and introduce a six-month continuing resolution to the House along with a bill to require proof of citizenship to vote.
Story updated at 9:09 p.m. ET
