Kevin McCarthy abruptly drops House Speaker bid!

Race postponed.

WASHINGTON (PNN) - October 8, 2015 - House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Kalif.) has abruptly pulled out of the race for Speaker of the House on the same day that he was widely expected to be nominated for the position. McCarthy, who faced opposition from conservatives within the GOP, said that he intends to stay on as House majority leader. The nomination race for House Speaker set for Thursday afternoon in the House has been postponed.

McCarthy, who was viewed as the overwhelmingly likely successor to outgoing speaker John Boehner, stunned official Washington with his sudden exit from the contest. He told colleagues in a private conference meeting that he was not "the right person for the job," according to members present.

His sudden exit throws the House into disarray, with no heir apparent for the position.

Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner announced his retirement last month but had said he will serve in the position until October 30. In a statement, Boehner again pledge to serve as Speaker until a replacement has been elected on the House floor.

Earlier this week, GOP Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina also spurred gossip when he suggested that any candidate for that party's leadership who has committed any "misdeeds" since being elected to the House should step down.

"With all the voter distrust of Washington felt around the country, I am asking that any candidate for Speaker of the House, majority leader, and majority whip withdraw himself from the leadership election if there are any misdeeds he has committed since joining Congress that will embarrass himself, the Republican Conference, and the House of Representatives if they become public," Jones said, although it was not clear that he was referring to a specific member of his party.

Asked about Jones' letter on Thursday, McCarthy, who was flanked by members of his family during his press conference, replied "No, no. Come on."