Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Select Committee on China, announced he will leave Congress on April 19, temporarily reducing the House Republican majority to just one seat. .
Gallagher announced in February that he would not run for a fifth term in the House of Representatives, a shocking announcement for someone who has been seen as a rising star within the Republican Party.
His early resignation means House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) will only lose one Republican in a vote along party lines. This situation is likely to continue until June, when a special election will be held to replace the former congressman. Bill Johnson, Republican, Ohio.
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Congressman Mike Gallagher announced he would leave Congress in April, a month after announcing he would not seek re-election. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
A special election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is scheduled to be held in May. Mr. McCarthy’s former seat in California’s 20th Congressional District is a safe red seat, so Mr. Johnson is likely to win against the Republican.
But first, a special election will be held on April 30th to replace Rep. Brian Higgins of New York, a longtime left-wing lawmaker who resigned earlier this year. Democrats are likely to pick up more seats in this election, which would leave them with a one-seat majority in the House.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson will temporarily retain a one-seat majority (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
If Republicans keep McCarthy’s seat and Democrats keep Higgins’, their majority will remain at one. That means the June 11 special election to replace Johnson in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District will be the first chance for Republicans to regain some wiggle room.
“After discussions with my family, I have made the decision to resign from my position as Wisconsin’s 8th Congressman, effective April 19, 2024,” Gallagher said in a statement Friday afternoon.
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“I am working closely with the House Republican leadership on this schedule and look forward to watching Chairman Johnson appoint a new chair to carry out the important duties of the Chinese Communist Party Select Committee. office will continue to operate and provide services to constituents for the remainder of his term in the 8th District. ”
Gallagher announced his departure from Congress shortly after experiencing backlash from members of his own party for not voting to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher was one of three Republicans to vote against the bill.
It also posed a major threat – multiple news outlets reported last month that former President Trump ally Alex Brucewicz was considering a challenge to Gallagher.
A special election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is scheduled for May. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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A source close to Brusewitz told Fox News Digital on Friday that Brusewitz has been meeting with business leaders in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District to encourage him to run for the currently vacant seat. He said he is actively recruiting. People close to Mr. Trump and current House Republicans are promoting Mr. Brucewicz’s candidacy, the person said.
“If I run, I’m going to win,” said one Trump ally.
He is expected to announce a final decision the week of April 8, the person said.
Last month, the Washington Examiner reported that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), and Rep. Cory Mills. (Republican, Florida).
