DFW Series Speaker

Kevin McCarthy served as the 55th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023.

Described as a man who exudes “true American grit,” McCarthy's political journey is the quintessential American story. After starting a small business at the age of 21, McCarthy went back to college to earn his bachelor and master degrees in business. He was rejected for an internship to the congressional seat, which he later held for 17 years. Prior to being elected to Congress, McCarthy served in the California State Legislature, where he became the fastest rising minority leader in the history of the California State Assembly.
 
McCarthy won the speakership after a historic 15 ballots and went on to secure $2 trillion in deficit reduction, all while protecting the full faith and credit of the United States, keeping our government open and making sure our troops were paid. He also refocused Congress on America’s long-term challenges by creating the first-ever Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Throughout his career, McCarthy fought for a more effective, efficient and accountable federal government. He also personally recruited and actively supported commonsense candidates for office who have helped reshape the Republican Party – several of whom have become senators, governors and cabinet secretaries. Overall, under his leadership, dozens of new Republican women, minorities and veterans have been elected to Congress. 

In Congress, he held nearly every elected leadership position in the House Republican conference and served under three presidents, during two economic crises and through consistent political upheaval while always maintaining his approach to governing as a “happy warrior.”