Two members of the House Freedom Caucus—Reps. Andy Harris of Maryland and Trent Franks of Arizona—are considering whether or not to jump into the race to become the next chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
The challengers would go head-to-head with Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., who announced his candidacy for the position Tuesday.
A Harris aide first confirmed with The Daily Signal that Harris is testing the waters. “Just spoke to my boss,” the aide said, “and he is seriously considering a run for RSC chair.”
The Maryland doctor already has at least one supporter, Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., who told The Daily Signal that he’d “absolutely fight for Harris,” who he considers “my good friend.” But he could have to compete for the Freedom Caucus votes: Franks is also mulling a campaign.
At the Freedom Caucus’ weekly, closed-door meeting in a dining room at House of Hunan, a local Washington, D.C., restaurant, Franks announced he was building support for a bid.
“He was suggesting himself [for RSC chair],” a member of the Freedom Caucus and Republican Study Committee told The Daily Signal, “and he’d be absolutely fabulous.”
Though that election won’t occur until Nov. 17, RSC founders plan to meet with each interested candidate next week to offer their blessing.
But the Freedom Caucus member backing Franks said, “it’s not too late” for Franks to jump in the race. The current RSC Chairman Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, the source noted, didn’t declare his candidacy until well after Labor Day in 2014.
Frank’s office confirmed that the Arizona representative was actively exploring making a run for leadership of the Republican Study Committee.
While the Freedom Caucus and Republican Study Committee often adopt different tactics, they share numerous members and the race for RSC chair could impact their alliance moving forward.
Some members of the Freedom Caucus are planning to leave the RSC. That could change if a Freedom Caucus member made a run for chairman, said Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C.
“If one of our members run for RSC, it might influence certain people’s decision,” Mulvaney told reporters. “It’s not going to influence mine.”
