NEWS 28 - House Speaker Pro Tempore has been voted to lead as the 33rd Speaker Of The House starting tonight. He won the job after the House voted 288 - 193, and 30 people voted Absence. He will be sworn in during a full House at 11:45 PM, after which he will preside over an over night vote on the 2024 Wasteful Government Spending Act.
As of now, there is no mention of who he could select as his Deputy Speaker, but what we know now is that he is slated to announce his Deputy Speaker sometime this weekend and it will be announced on Monday. The House appeared to be cleared out following the vote with several Representatives of the Republican party still in the chamber.
"We are obviously disappointed with the result of the vote, but they majority spoke and we now have a Speaker Carrington," said Representative Richard Sanchez. "It's a disappointing blow to any Republican that seeks the Speaker's chair until we get a Republican majority in the House. By placing Carrington in the Speaker's chair during this vote, we are likely to face an uphill battle to the speaker's chair and is generally harder to get done when the incumbent is of the opposite party. We were hoping for a quick victory during the 2025 House Speaker Elections."
Matthew Carrington has not issued a formal statement, but one is expected either today or tomorrow. He will assume office later tonight, and it is expected that a full House is expected. Carrington was named the front runner of the 2025 House Speaker Elections, so his victory during this vote, might give him a slight edge over any other challenger from either party.
"I am pleased with he vote," said Representative Braden Harris. "He will be a unifying force in the House and during important debates. He will be fair and honest, and I look forward to him leading the House as the 33rd Speaker. His role is now more significant, as he takes on the full responsibility of the Speakership."
Former House Speaker Gretchen LeWolf did not cast a vote supporting or opposing Carrington, and voted Absence. She didn't respond to our request for comment and her office said that she would not make any statement regarding her vote.
"Mrs. LeWolf said that she would not make any comment either today or in the future about her vote today," said Nathan Heligrass, her Secretary of communications. "She nor any member of her staff will address this. She made her choice and there is no explanation that will be given."