Rep. Andy Harris was tapped Tuesday night to become the next leader of the Freedom Caucus, after the ultra-conservative group was forced to pick a new head in the wake of the previous chair’s primary loss.
The Freedom Caucus had narrowed it down to Harris or Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) — a decision first reported by POLITICO last week. But members of the group learned Tuesday night, shortly before they were scheduled to convene to pick their next leader, that Biggs had bowed out of the race, five Republicans familiar with the matter confirmed.
That cleared the way for the caucus to tap Harris to succeed Rep. Bob Good, after the Virginia Republican formally left the post last week following a primary defeat that became official last month.
He was ousted by a challenger who was supported by former President Donald Trump and some fellow Republicans inside the conference. Harris was named as chair by acclimation during the group’s Tuesday night meeting, one of the Republicans said.
