U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, easily turned back the challenge of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., to remain GOP Conference chair, the fourth highest ranking member of the Republican caucus.
Stefanik took 144 votes when Republican House members met on Tuesday, while Donalds pulled 78 votes.
“I’m honored to earn support from my colleagues to continue serving as House Republican Conference chair. We won this majority because of our ‘Commitment to America,’ and we are the last line of defense in a House Republican majority to stand up for the American people,” she said. “I particularly am proud being from the state of New York—we picked up four seats in New York state, flipping blue districts to red, and we will have a tremendous Republican Conference in the 118th Congress.”
Donalds struck an upbeat note after his defeat.
“In life, you either win, lose, or fail forward, and I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from my colleagues in my run for chair of the House GOP Conference. Since entering Congress, it has been my honor to work on behalf of the American people and defend our great constitutional republic, and I look forward to continuing this mission. Now, more than ever, our party must unite and stand even firmer in the trenches to preserve our principles and advance the conservative agenda. I extend my sincerest congratulations to my colleague from New York, Chair Stefanik, for winning re-election, and I’ll continue to support her vision for the conference,” Donalds said.
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