WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer spent the longest speaker election in more than a century trying to mend a bitter divide within the Republican Party.
The Minnesotan has traded leading the House GOP's campaign arm for the critical task of whipping votes in the narrow Republican majority. But before he could even be sworn in for a new term, Emmer was caught in the middle of a multiday stalemate over Rep. Kevin McCarthy's future.
With the help of Emmer and others, McCarthy won the top job in the House on the 15th ballot after opposition from a small group of hard-liners blocking the Californian's ascension finally gave way.
