Rep. Dan Meuser drops out of House speaker race

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., does a TV interview at the House steps of the U.S. Capitol on Monay, October 23, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., is dropping out of the race for House speaker , he told reporters as he left the House Republican speaker candidate forum Monday evening.

“If the House is in good hands with one of those members that are up there now, I'm satisfied,” he said.

Explaining his decision, Meuser said, “I felt that it was in the best interest in the end. I came in late. I have other commitments to adhere to.”

He urged members to have “respect for each other” as the House GOP conference remains fractured going on three weeks without an elected speaker.

Asked if he believes the situation will be solved soon, he struck a positive tone. “I’m more optimistic now than I ever was,” he said.

Meuser's exit leaves eight Republican speaker hopefuls still making their case to colleagues, with a planned vote expected on Tuesday morning.