House Republicans choose Rep. Elise Stefanik as new conference chair, replacing Liz Cheney
WASHINGTON - Republicans in the House of Representatives have chosen Rep. Elise Stefanik as its next conference chair, replacing the void created by their removal of Rep. Liz Cheney, of Wyoming, earlier this week.
Stefanik, R- N.Y., was widely considered the front-runner. She has a more moderate voting record than her predecessor but has become a staunch defender of former President Donald Trump in recent years — endearing her to her fellow Republicans.
"First, I wanted to thank my colleagues for the opportunity to serve as the House Republican Conference Chair," Stefanik said Friday morning. "I have prioritized listening to all members of our Republican conference. And my focus is on unity because that is what the American people, and that's what our voters, deserve."
Cheney fell out of favor among Republicans in recent months after she became one of Trump’s biggest critics in the party. She took issue with his false claims that widespread voter fraud cost him re-election and blamed Trump’s claims for inciting a mob to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, D-N.Y., questions Secretary of Defense Mark Esper during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on July 9, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)
Cheney was among the handful of Republicans to vote in favor of impeaching Trump for inciting insurrection. A few weeks after that vote, Republicans held a vote to consider removing her as the conference chair.
She survived that vote, but could not survive Wednesday’s.
RELATED: House Republicans oust Liz Cheney from leadership
Liz Cheney speaks after being ousted from GOP leadership role | NewsNOW from FOX
Liz Cheney is no longer the Chair of the House Republican Conference, nor is she the third highest-ranking House Republican after falling out of favor with her Republican colleagues with her public criticism of former President Donald Trump.
Shortly after Cheney was removed, Stefanik published a letter penned to her fellow Republicans explaining why she wanted to be the next No. 3 Republican in the House.
Stefanik said she had not spoken with Cheney since the conference removed her from the leadership role. But she said Cheney and other vocal Trump critics have a place in the Republican Conference.
"Liz Cheney is a part of this conference. Adam Kinzinger is a part of this conference," Stefanik stressed. "They were elected and sent here by the people in their district. They are a part of this Republican Conference."
Even so, Stefanik emphasized unity and made it clear she would be steering the conference towards Trump.
"We are unified in working with President Trump," Stefanik said. "My job representing our Republican members, the vast majority, we look forward to working with Trump."
This story was reported from Atlanta. The Associated Press contributed.