GOPers who ousted McCarthy as House Speaker face "blowback" in the primaries

The group of Republicans called Gaetz Eight, who voted alongside Democrats to oust Kevin McCarthy, is facing blowback from donors who are not too keen to support their campaigns.

Gaetz the “ringleader”

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Florida’s Matt Gaetz, dubbed the “ringleader,” brought the motion to vacate, which is how the group became known as “Gaetz Eight.” Gaetz is not the one experiencing financial troubles. However, according to ABC News, Joel Greenberg, who was close to Gaetz, is cooperating with the House Ethics Committee investigation into a Florida lawmaker, and it appears that McCarthy knows more.

McCarthy on Gaetz

In November last year, the former House Speaker McCarthy said that Gaetz belongs in jail, while the Florida lawmaker fired back, “The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.” A year after the DOJ decided not to bring charges against Gaetz in a sex-trafficking investigation, the House Ethics Committee is moving forward with a probe into him. However, it is unclear if that’s what McCarthy was referring to.

Biggs admits to financial issues

Arizona’s Andy Biggs confirmed to CNN that he faced some backlash, including from the donors. He said he knew that voting against McCarthy was a “risk” and added he would do whatever he can to help others from the group.

That includes Nancy Mace

Biggs, a former Freedom Caucus chairman, said that despite not agreeing on much, he would help South Carolina’s Nancy Mace. CNN reported that Mace and Bob Good of Virginia face the harshest “blowback,” with their seats endangered in the primaries.

Rosendale’s bid for Senate

Matt Rosendale, a Montana representative, just launched a Senate bid. His situation only made the Montana primaries “messier,” according to Politico. Talking to CNN, the lawmaker said he was not “worried about anybody from California coming out to Montana to campaign” while referring to vote against McCarthy, a California Republican.

Speaker Johnson’s move

It is unclear if Speaker Johnson will publicly back Rosendale since he “has for other House colleagues and friends.” Rosendale has around 1.7 million in his House campaign account, but according to Politico’s sources, many Republicans are worried if “Rosendale can beat Tester six years after his failed first attempt.”

Burchett’s concerns

Tim Burchett, Tennessee Republican, had some “very wealthy folks” shut their funds, CNN reported. The lawmaker said he was not “vindictive” and added, “They’ve been very kind to me in the past, and I hope that we can mend the fences.”

Burchett on McCarthy

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The Tennessee lawmaker said that McCarthy had $17 million and “it’ll be eight of us that probably feel the brunt of that.” Burchett insists, “I knew exactly what I was doing. I knew I’d get opposition because of it.”

Behind the scenes

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One Republican lawmaker told CNN, “If I’m those folks, one of the things that would scare the crap out of me more than anything else is an unhinged McCarthy.” They pointed out that McCarthy was the “most prolific fundraiser” and added, “a massive group of donors across the country that are pi..ed off about what’s happening, and you’ve got these boneheads that have caused it.”

The McCarthy effect

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Jeff Miller, McCarthy’s friend and adviser, is reportedly helping McGuire’s campaign in his bid against Mace. Marjorie Taylor Greene endorsed McGuire, as well as Tim Sheehy, who will run against Rosendale.

Crane is unaffected

Eli Crane, another GOPer who voted to expel McCarthy, is running for Senate in Arizona and will challenge Mark Lamb. However, despite admitting to donor backlash, Crane stated, “I came here to make a change. And when you do that, sometimes it means the runway’s going to be a little shorter, and you might go home.”

“There must be consequences”

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“These traitors chose to side with Nancy Pelosi, AOC, and over 200 Democrats to undermine the institution, their fellow Republicans, and a duly elected Speaker,” Brian Walsh, Mccarthy’s ally, said in a statement. “There must be consequences for that decision.”

Recruiting primary challengers

Politico reported that Walsh is doing the fieldwork – recruiting primary challengers. Mace, Good, and Craine are the most significant “targets.” GOP representative Garret Graves warned, “One of the most dangerous things that you could do is have an untethered McCarthy. In terms of some of the people that have done stupid things over the past several months.”

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