Chip Roy, a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, is set to leave the lower chamber after the midterms, marking a shift in the Republican Conference’s most rambunctious wing. Roy announced his intention to run for Texas attorney general, alongside other notable Freedom Caucus members such as Andy Biggs, Byron Donalds, and Ralph Norman. Some members hope that the departures will lead to greater GOP harmony and less chaos in Congress.
Roy has been a key player at the center of hardline resistance to GOP leadership, personifying the House Freedom Caucus’s ethos of using every leverage point available to secure conservative policy wins. After the 15-ballot election of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in January 2023, Roy and Norman landed important spots on the House Rules Committee. However, some fellow House members have questioned the effectiveness of Freedom Caucus members, such as Roy’s role in supporting President Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” of tax cut extensions and spending priorities.
Roy, who was previously a chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), is widely recognized as a heavyweight in not only messaging but policy and strategy. He is known for his ability to courageously pick principled policy fights and be an extremely smart strategist who understands who to use the process to his advantage.
Outside observers have assumed that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and others in GOP leadership will be relieved at Roy and other Freedom Caucus members heading for the exits. The group’s members are about five times as likely as non-Freedom Caucus Republicans to run for higher office, with about 17% of Freedom Caucus members running for higher office since their founding.
Roy portrayed the Freedom Caucus as a training ground for Republicans, highlighting the team’s growth and potential for a more productive Congress.
