McCarthy withdraws bid for House speaker

He stuns Republicans gathered to vote

WASHINGTON — Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy withdrew Thursday from the contest for speaker of the U. S. House, shocking fellow Republicans just before voting was to begin.

Lawmakers expressed disbelief after McCarthy’s announcement, which came moments after they had shown up for a private election that many had predicted would end with McCarthy as their pick.

Two weeks ago outgoing Speaker John Boehner of Ohio announced his plans to resign, also without warning.

Boehner, who planned to leave Oct. 30, said in a statement that he would stay on “until the House votes to elect a new speaker.”

In a prepared statement shortly after the Republicans met to vote, McCarthy said: “I have the deepest respect and regard for each member of the conference and our team as a whole. It is imperative for us to unite and work together on the challenges facing our country.

“Over the last week it has become clear to me that our conference is deeply divided and needs to unite behind one leader. I have always put this

AP/ EVAN VUCCI House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy had been opposed in his bid for the speaker post by a small bloc of hard- line conservatives known as the House Freedom Caucus. He cited the need for unity in his decision to drop out of the race.