Ohio Republicans rally to try to stop ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Ohio Republicans rallied around House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday, but their support wasn't enough to stop a historic vote ousting him from the job.

Eight Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the motion to vacate just days after Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown. McCarthy brokered a deal with Democrats to fund the federal government for 45 days, prompting Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to push for the vote.

Live updates: Speaker McCarthy ousted after deal to avert government shutdown

Four of Ohio's Democratic representatives opted to remove McCarthy from his post after House Democrats decided they wouldn't throw him a lifeline. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, was not present for the vote.

In a statement, Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Cincinnati, called Gaetz a “radically self-absorbed person who needs constant attention.”

“I find it deeply disturbing that we are dealing yet again with chaos and conflict that is halting our work,” Landsman said. “These folks undermine our ability to work together and get things done. Americans can’t stand this. I can’t stand it.”

House Republicans have maintained a tenuous majority since January and eventually elected McCarthy as speaker after a chaotic vote that revealed cracks within the caucus. McCarthy said Tuesday that he won’t run for speaker again, setting up a fight to replace him. Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina will temporarily lead the House in the meantime.

Earlier story: Matt Gaetz announces plans to oust Kevin McCarthy from House speakership

"Make no mistake. MAGA is not trying to remove Speaker McCarthy," Rep. Max Miller, R-Rocky River, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, before Tuesday's vote. "MAGA Americans put America first. Matt Gaetz is putting himself first."

Before the motion to vacate, House lawmakers voted on whether to table the measure altogether. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, opposed that, raising questions about whether he would back McCarthy, but he ultimately did. A spokesperson for Davidson did not respond to questions about his votes.

Davidson later posted on X that he would not “support a coalition with Democrats.” He also said it wasn’t an ideal time to vacate the speaker.

“I’m thankful for Speaker McCarthy’s efforts and friendship,” Davidson said. “The fight to restore a government small enough to fit within the Constitution is bigger than one person. To move past the status quo, Republicans must unite behind a Speaker who will advance our agenda.”

As Republicans stood up to defend McCarthy, one recalled efforts to oust former House Speaker John Boehner, who previously served in Davidson's southwestern Ohio district.

"As the only still-serving co-author and co-sponsor of the motion to vacate Speaker Boehner, I can tell you this motion to vacate is a terrible idea," Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said. "As the only member who's serving here who took every chance to vote against Speaker Boehner and to vote against Speaker Ryan, I can tell you that this chamber has been run better, more conservatively and more transparently under Mr. McCarthy than any other speaker that I have served under."

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Republicans defend ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy