Republican Laurie Buckhout was preparing to run for Congress when she received news of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster while walking through a soybean field with her dog.
In an interview with NBC News, Buckhout said, “It didn’t change what I want to do.” Despite the turmoil within the Republican party and the struggle to replace McCarthy, Buckhout filed to run against Democratic Rep. Don Davis in a battleground district in North Carolina.
Buckhout is one of three notable candidates who have recently launched House campaigns in districts that President Joe Biden carried in 2020. These districts are crucial for the Republicans to flip in order to secure their House majority in the upcoming elections.
The chaos and infighting among Republicans didn’t dissuade these candidates from joining the House Republican conference. They remained undeterred, even in the face of death threats received by some lawmakers as pressure mounted to support Ohio GOP Rep. Jim Jordan for the House Speaker position.
Buckhout, a retired Army colonel, who had served in Iraq, stated, “I’ll be honest with you, with no hyperbole — I’ve been shot at. And I have done the right thing before.”
Another candidate, Alison Esposito, a former New York City police officer, launched her campaign as the chaos unfolded. She filed to run against Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan in upstate New York. Joe Teirab, a Republican former federal prosecutor and Marine veteran, also joined the race, hoping to take on Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in the Twin Cities suburbs in Minnesota.
Esposito said, “The chaos strengthened my resolve to get non-career politicians into elected office.”
The impact of McCarthy’s ouster on the 2024 House battle remains to be seen. McCarthy played a crucial role in recruiting and mentoring candidates in key battlegrounds. Despite losing his position, McCarthy has continued to actively support House Republicans, hosting fundraisers and maintaining contact with party leaders and candidates.
Republican strategists credit McCarthy’s efforts as crucial for recruiting strong candidates and raising funds. However, it’s uncertain how involved the new speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, will be in the fight for the House majority.
The fact that candidates are still eager to run, despite the chaos within the House conference, is encouraging for Republicans. However, these candidates must navigate the toxic internal politics of the party and maintain a focus on the issues that matter to the voters.
All three candidates declined to reveal whom they would support for speaker, emphasizing voters’ concerns about the Biden administration and Democratic leadership.
Democrats are expected to tie these candidates to the hard-right wing of the party. However, the new Republican candidates remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the country and addressing the concerns of their constituents.
Despite the challenges, the determination of these candidates to run in the midst of the House mess demonstrates their dedication to making a difference.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
