U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson spoke to business owners and community members at the Greater Des Moines Partnership as part of the organization’s candidate forum series Oct. 16, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said Monday she is not interested in serving as House GOP conference chair following New York U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s expected departure to serve in President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 administration.
Hinson, who won reelection to serve in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in the Nov. 5 election, was considered a top contender for the U.S. House GOP leadership position, in charge of party messaging for the caucus. While much of House Republican leadership is expected to remain the same following the election, the conference chair seat officially opened Monday as Trump announced his plan for Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the United Nations in his upcoming administration.
“Elise is a strong and very smart ‘America First’ fighter,” Trump said Monday in a written statement. “She will be an incredible ambassador to the United Nations, delivering peace through strength and ‘America First’ national security policies!”
Since the announcement, several Republican representatives stepped up to take the New York Republican’s place on the House GOP leadership team. According to The Hill, Reps. Lisa McClain of Michigan and Kat Cammack of Florida have announced their desire to take the post that will be filled when the House GOP caucus holds its internal leadership elections Wednesday.
Several other candidates have been floated as potential replacements for the No. 4 position, including Hinson. During the 2024 campaign season, the Iowa Republican was tapped as a surrogate by Trump and House GOP leadership, campaigning in competitive states like Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nebraska supporting Republicans on the ballot.
But Hinson took herself out of the running as Stefanik’s replacement Monday.
“I’m humbled that my colleagues would consider me for this important post, but I am not running for a leadership position,” Hinson said in a statement. “My focus is on serving Iowa’s Second Congressional District and working to ensure we carry out President Trump’s agenda.”