The U.S. House Freedom Caucus chose Maryland Rep. Andy Harris as chairman following the resignation of outgoing Virginia Rep. Bob Good.
Caucus members voted Tuesday evening to elect Harris following former chairman of the group Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., removed his hat from the ring.
Harris, the sole Republican representative to Congress from Maryland, has represented the state’s 1st Congressional District since 2011.
“It is an honor to serve as the next House Freedom Caucus chairman,” Harris said in a statement. “I look forward to leading this caucus as we confront the reckless spending of the Biden-Harris administration, work to secure our southern border, and defend our constitutional freedoms in the House of Representatives.”
Harris, a physician, is an original House Freedom Caucus member and on the group’s Board of Directors. In addition, the congressman serves on the House Appropriations Committee as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture.
Harris’ appointment comes after Good resigned from the post following a crushing defeat in the spring primary. Virginia state Sen. John McGuire narrowly beat him after a contentious recount. Good, a two-term congressman, lost to McGuire by 370 votes.
Following the announcement, Good gave Harris his stamp of approval in a social media post.
“The House Freedom Caucus Chairmanship is in capable hands with [Rep. Andy Harris],” the outgoing congressman posted on X.
Harris’ chairmanship will run through the end of the year, and it is unclear if the group will choose a new chairman upon Congress’ next term.
