Newsman: The US House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy endorsed Harriet Hageman, the Trump-backed candidate challenging Rep. Liz Cheney in the Wyoming Republican primary.
“I am proud to endorse Harriet Hageman for Congress,” McCarthy, R-Calif., said on Thursday in a statement tweeted by Hageman. “I look forward to welcoming Harriet to a Republican majority next Congress.”
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who replaced Cheney in that leadership role after her ouster, also endorsed Hageman on Friday, calling her “a true America First patriot who has what it takes to restore true representation for Wyoming families.
McCarthy and Cheney have been openly critical of each other after the Jan. 6 riot. Cheney, who was booted from her No. 3 post in House GOP leadership after she voted for impeachment, has been outspoken about the need to hold Trump accountable for the attack on the Capitol.
The Republican National Committee recently censured Cheney and Kinzinger for their involvement with the Jan. 6 panel.
Cheney is one of only two Republicans on the House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol. Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the other GOP member on the panel, is not seeking re-election.
Hageman welcomed McCarthy’s support Thursday, saying on Twitter: “I am proud to have your endorsement and I look forward to working with you on behalf of the American people and the people of Wyoming to hold the Biden Administration accountable!”
In a statement, a spokesperson for Cheney said of Hageman: “Wow. She must really be desperate.”
The public endorsement by McCarthy, first reported by The Federalist.
According to the latest fundraising figures, Cheney pulled in more than $1.97 million during the last three months of 2021, bringing her yearly total to nearly $6.5 million. Hageman, who launched her bid in September, reported about $443,000 in contributions last quarter, bringing her total for the year to over $745,000.
