Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy just announced he will not be running for re-election as speaker.

McCarthy gave a short speech after he made this announcement. Here’s what he said via Jake Sherman’s tweets:

We got a lot of big challenges

I dont want this to be an angry meeting. I firmly trust in God

You need 218 votes to be speaker — and for the rules and amendments.

U held my mouth until you said something that wasnt true. And i did it for the good of the conference
And i did it for the good of the conference. The Dems came to me to make a deal. I wasnt goign to make a deal.

When eight people work with the Democrats, it’s not for the best of the conference.

I got to be the 55th speaker — my goal has been to save the country. I love a lot of you — i saw your kids grow up.

Those who stuck with me ill never forget it. I want you to all go home and see your family.

He quoted Lou Gehrig — he said he is the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I’m optimistic because i dont know what else to be

Im not going to sell my soul to Democrats. Ill still work to get you elected — maybe not all of you because i’m a free agent.

When we come out of the next vote, let’s elect that person on the first round. if i have to be the sacrifice, so be it.

We’re the only conservative face for america. I appreciate all of you

So now we get to start over fresh. It feels like groundhog day in the House, after having already done this extensively last January. I have no idea who can get elected speaker unless it is someone like Jim Jordan, who seems to have bridge the gap with both moderates and conservatives. But after seeing the monthslong sh**show that culminated today, I don’t know why anyone would want to run.

UPDATE: Nehls claims he nominated Trump to be Speaker. Um….