WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bakersfield native, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy made a bold proclamation this year about his political future, saying he looked forward to being the next speaker of the House come next year's midterms. It's under the presumption that the Republican Party will take back the House. He has thrown his support behind the former president and ousted a top Republican from leadership. However, his path to the speakership remains uncertain.
"My focus is making sure America is put back on the right track. That will not be the case if Nancy Pelosi has continued to be speaker or the socialist movement of big government, what the Democrats are causing, this inflation," McCarthy said.
But McCarthy's goal is raising concerns from voters back home in California's 23rd congressional district. One mother of two, Sunni Hepburn, said she's in the American Independent Party, said she's not happy with McCarthy's voting record. This year alone, he opposed a COVID-19 spending bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the creation of an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
"Why would you vote against things that would investigate something that happened? And then also would help people who are suffering from COVID or people who have lost jobs?" Hepburn said.
Hepburn also is concerned McCarthy would ignore the needs of his constituents if he became speaker, believing he may prioritize the needs of the party before the needs of the district.
"I'm a Black woman," she said. "I really don't think he would represent my beliefs. I think if he became speaker of the House, I think his interests might change — maybe he might not have the time to invest into this district."
When Spectrum News brought these concerns to McCarthy, he said the COVID-19 spending plan this year was wasteful spending and didn't focus enough resources on the pandemic. And as for balancing the leadership role and representing his district, he said the effect would be.
"To be able to be in a leadership position only makes the voices of the 23rd congressional district stronger," McCarthy said. "And actually to be successful in that as well. So it's only going to strengthen the district."
And some constituents, like James Davidson, agree.
"With power, you can do more," Davidson said. "The only one above him would be the president and vice president if he became speaker. He would be third in line."
Former President Donald Trump could play a decisive role in whether McCarthy fulfills his aspirations. If Republicans regain the majority, Trump's endorsement could appoint McCarthy speaker. Conversely, Trump's opposition could doom McCarthy.
In January, McCarthy criticized Trump's role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and said Trump bore responsibility. Since then, McCarthy has backtracked and defended Trump.
"The presidential race is not on the ballot in 2022," McCarthy said when asked about the former president. "And what I'm most focused on is the amount of damage the Democrats have done. I think Republicans will win the majority based upon a contrast of ideas and the contrast of what the Democrats have done."
McCarthy, who also served as the House Majority Leader from 2015 through 2019, is leaning on a bit of history. Usually, the party that wins the White House loses seats in Congress two years later.
About a month ago, McCarthy said that if Speaker Nancy Pelosi were to hand him the gavel if he became speaker, that "it would be hard not to hit her with it." Democrats have called on McCarthy to apologize for his taunt and some have even called for his resignation. The conversation marks rising tensions between the two party leaders. Spectrum News reached out to the speaker's office for a comment on this story and did not immediately hear back.
This story is Part 3 of the Battleground California political series. Part 1 focuses on California lawmakers who are careful in their strategy to appeal to swing voters in the contentious Orange County and Part 2 focuses on lawmakers who take an opposite tack.