Multiple House Republicans are urging Rep. Trey Gowdy to jump into the race for majority leader, a move that comes as the South Carolina Republican has a high-profile role as chairman of the House Select Committee on Benghazi.
Whether Gowdy actually wants the job—or would accept it if it were pushed on him—was an open question for much of Tuesday.
After multiple members called for him to run for the position, a spokesperson for Gowdy rebuffed the effort Tuesday morning without categorically ruling out a run to replace Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is running for speaker now that John Boehner is stepping down.
“Chairman Gowdy is focused on the Benghazi Committee and will serve in that capacity so long as the committee exists. He appreciates the confidence of his colleagues and looks forward to tonight's conference discussion,” the aide said.
A few hours later, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, a fellow South Carolina Republican, said on Facebook and Twitter that Gowdy flatly told him he’s not going to run for majority leader.
“I just talked to Trey for 20 minutes. He made it clear to me, in no uncertain terms, that upon further reflection last night and today, he is OUT of any consideration for any leadership position. He wants to focus on his work on the Benghazi commission,” Mulvaney wrote.