The House Freedom Caucus is debating who should lead the ultra-conservative group, given the expected retirement of its chairman, Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.).
People who spoke to Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity said they expected Good to step down from his post after he lost the June primary and then a recount Thursday night by a few hundred votes. Good had previously said he would step down.
The move puts the Republican insurgents in uncharted territory: No speaker has ever resigned before the end of their term, and no sitting speaker has ever lost reelection.
Two sources familiar with the discussions said they expect former Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) or Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) to serve as chairman for the remainder of Good’s term.
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House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good is expected to step down from his role after being defeated in a primary and subsequent recount. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
But both sources said the discussions were leaning somewhat toward Biggs.
“I will be lobbying for Andy Biggs to serve as chairman for the remainder of Bob’s term. He supports Trump and already knows how to do the job as chairman,” a Freedom Caucus member told Fox News Digital.
Through a Fox News Digital spokesman, Mr. Biggs declined to comment. A spokesman for Ms. Perry declined to comment.
One of the sources told Fox News Digital that the group’s policy chairman, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, has also been mentioned as a possible successor.
But Roy, who also chairs the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on the Constitution and limited government, has not publicly signaled his interest in the role.
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Rep. Andy Biggs, a former Freedom Caucus chairman, is being considered as a possible candidate to replace Good for the remainder of his term. (Getty Images)
Another source said freshman Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, has also expressed interest in the role, but it was not immediately clear whether he would be interested in serving as Good’s deputy for the remainder of the year or whether he would want to run for a new term in the group’s closed election, which usually takes place at the end of the year.
Mr. Ogles’ office did not respond to a request for comment, while Mr. Roy, through a spokesman, declined to discuss private conversations.
Politico reported last week that both Perry and Biggs were being considered to fill the remainder of Good’s term.
Both men had much better ties with former President Trump than Goode did, and the rift between them contributed to Trump’s political downfall.
Trump endorsed Goode’s primary rival, John Maguire, and actively opposed the Virginia conservative’s reelection. Goode initially supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Trump primary rival, but switched to the former president when DeSantis dropped out.
The Republican lawmaker again introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Harris.
Goode initially supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump’s primary rival, but switched to the former president after DeSantis dropped out. (Felipe Ramares for Fox News Digital)
Good’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital about whether he would go ahead with his resignation.
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A Freedom Caucus spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “HFC does not comment on its membership or internal processes.”
Good’s term as chairman has been turbulent, with several members leaving the group this year.
More recently, Republican Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio, who opposed Goode’s nomination as chairman, was expelled from the Freedom Caucus shortly after endorsing Maguire in the primary.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) also resigned the same day in protest of Davidson’s firing.
