House Freedom Caucus leadership search narrows to 2 candidates

The powerful House Freedom Caucus seems to have narrowed the search for its next leader to two main candidates: Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) or Andy Harris (R-Md.), according to two members of the group and two people familiar with the discussions.

The ultra-conservative group’s internal wrangling was necessary after current Chair Bob Good (R-Va.) told members during a closed-door meeting on Monday that his resignation would be official at the end of this week.

The group’s discussion about who should be Good’s successor is still actively in flux, but the board wants to have a name to submit on Friday. The full group would then sign off next week.

The House Freedom Caucus has been a near-constant problem for GOP leadership, frequently tanking spending bills and demanding certain legislative priorities that aren't always backed by more centrist members, or even more governing-minded conservatives. Some members act independently of the group’s leadership, but whoever assumes the role will likely negotiate with Republican leaders directly.

Harris is a fiscal hawk that has previously expressed interest in leading the group. Meanwhile, Biggs, who has been more of a perennial headache for House GOP leadership, is viewed as a leading contender if the group purely wants a caretaker who could get them through the end of the year.

“I think either Andy would be great. Andy Biggs did a great job. Andy Harris is a great guy. I think they would both be good. I don’t know who is going to win,” one of the Freedom Caucus members, granted anonymity to discuss internal matters, said about the internal race in a brief interview.

Asked about the race, a Freedom Caucus spokesperson said “HFC does not comment on membership or internal processes.”

Good became the first Freedom Caucus chair to lose his primary election in June — throwing the group into uncharted waters when his loss was solidified in a recount last month. His term as chair was scheduled to run through 2025, so his loss meant he would have to step down early. He opted to do it this week, rather than run out the clock through the rest of the year.

In addition to Biggs, Freedom Caucus members also initially floated Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), another former chair, as a temporary leader to get them through the end of the year. But he has a tougher reelection than Biggs, who is in a deep-red district, so Biggs eventually emerged as the leading preference if the group went down that route.

Harris, however, is seen as a candidate who they would pick to lead the group for a longer period of time. He’s on the group’s board and has previously expressed interest in leading the group.

Freedom Caucus members have been privately discussing for weeks how to move forward after Good’s election loss. Many in the group did not want their internal election to coincide with the presidential election — typically, the chair selection process is held in off-election years. That led to member discussions about a temporary replacement, so they could have a longer-term chair election early next year. Even if they pick Harris next week, another election early next year is still under discussion.

And a third Andy in the Freedom Caucus — Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) — also isn't ruling out that he'll throw his name into the mix whenever the group holds an election for a full term.

"We'll see. ... It's been talked about " Ogles said.

Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.