WASHINGTON, D.C. — Slamming the gavel down shortly after former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy was ousted, Patrick McHenry started off his first minutes as Speaker pro tempore with a bang.
He’s now the most powerful lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives. But just who is Patrick McHenry?
Most recently, he’s the representative for the tenth congressional district of North Carolina—elected in 2004, he’s serving his tenth term in the role. McHenry served on the House Financial Services Committee the entire time he’s been in office, and is the chair for this session.
Before he ran for Congress, McHenry worked as the national coalition director for George W. Bush’s presidential campaign, a special assistant to Elaine Chao and the representative for the 109th district in the North Carolina General Assembly.
He’s also a self-identified ally of former President Trump. The top of his campaign website reads: “Patrick McHenry…its the greatest name in politics,” attributed to none other than the former President himself.
McHenry proved himself to be a McCarthy ally, as well. He spoke in defense of McCarthy just hours before his ousting.
McHenry lives in Denver, North Carolina. A Belmont Abbey College graduate, he is a husband and father of three. Now, with a new title—Speaker pro tempore.