A number of The Iowa Standard readers wondered why it seems Iowa’s congressional delegation is so dedicated to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Over the weekend, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks told Iowans just how amazing McCarthy was. Representatives Ashley Hinson and Zach Nunn joined Miller-Meeks in criticism of the eight congressional Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy as Speaker.
Hinson and Miller-Meeks were quick to endorse McCarthy’s “number two,” Rep. Steve Scalise as the next Speaker. Scalise, though, failed to build the necessary support to get a floor vote.
Congressman Jim Jordan is waiting for his floor vote and didn’t receive a public endorsement from Hinson or Nunn until Saturday. Miller-Meeks has been noncommittal.
Miller-Meeks and Hinson signed a letter stating they were ashamed and embarrassed that McCarthy was ousted as Speaker. I’m sure Miller-Meeks feels she owes her congressional seat to McCarthy. You can read about why here.
But it also doesn’t help that McCarthy is a source of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
McCarthy’s Protect The House 2024 PAC contributed $239,977.27 to Miller-Meeks’ campaign in 2023. Hinson has received $244,738.97 so far in 2023. Nunn has been given $250,420.34 so far this year.
And, for good measure, the Republican Party of Iowa has been given $199,088.99.
And that is just one PAC associated with McCarthy.
That is a total of $934,225.57 since March of 2023.
