It’s being reported this morning that Republicans have selected a replacement for Liz Cheney ahead of next week’s vote to oust Cheney as the conference chair::
The top two Republicans in the House are behind Rep. Elise Stefanik’s efforts to replace Rep. Liz Cheney as Republican conference chair as the party continues to grapple over former President Trump’s future role, according to a report.
Fox News confirmed Tuesday that Stefanik, R-N.Y., is making calls to members to build support for a potential challenge to Cheney, R-Wyo. A senior GOP leadership source told Fox News earlier this week a vote to remove Cheney is “more than likely.”
Punchbowl News, which first reported Scalise’s support for Stefanik, also reported Wednesday that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is working to ensure Stefanik is the only one challenging Cheney.
Not only does she have McCarthy and Scalie’s support, Stefanik also has Trump’s backing:
From colleague Brooke Singman. Sources tell Fox that former President Trump supports GOP NY Rep Elise Stefanik to succeed House GOP Conf Chair Liz Cheney.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 5, 2021
Earlier this year Liz Cheney was able to stave off defeat after a contentious vote, but it’s not looking right now that she’ll be able to pull another houdini out of her hat.
Here’s more on the vote that was just tweeted by Chad Pergram:
1) It appears that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) have all but cleared the field for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to potentially succeed House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-WY)
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 5, 2021
3) It takes a petition of 50 members to move for a vote. Presumably there would be a vote on Cheney’s future. Also, McCarthy has privileges to make a motion on his own.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 5, 2021
5) There is some grumbling from some House Republican men that they have been blocked from pursuing this position, only because Stefanik is a woman and would prospectively succeed Cheney. There would have to be a separate vote on electing a new conference chairwoman.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 5, 2021
10) Cheney survived a previous “no confidence” vote in February, prevailing 145-61. But few in the House Republican Conference believe Cheney could succeed now.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 5, 2021