Arizona plays a prominent role in U.S. politics again as Gosar bucks McCarthy nomination

Published: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 4:31pm
Updated: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 7:32pm
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona's 9th congressional district.

The GOP on Tuesday did not officially take political control of the U.S. House as enough dissenters from their caucus did not vote to elect California Republican Kevin McCarthy as the next Speaker.

In fact, Arizona played a noticeable role in national politics once again as Rep. Paul Gosar nominated a fellow Republican from the state during the first round.

“A wise person once told me, 'Good process builds good policy builds good politics,'" Gosar said from the floor. "We gotta return to that. It is with that I place the name of my friend and colleague from Arizona, [Rep.] Andy Biggs, for Speaker of the House. Thank you.” 

Biggs’ name was not placed in nomination during subsequent rounds of voting and, after three votes by the nearly full House (Rep. Donald McEachin recently died), McCarthy still did not manage to receive enough yeas as the chamber adjourned until Noon Wednesday.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated for timeliness. 

Politics Elections