Kevin Owen McCarthy is an American politician serving as House Minority Leader in the United States House of Representatives since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as House Majority Leader under Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan from 2014 to 2019. He was the U.S. Representative for California's 22nd Congressional District from 2007 to 2013 and has served in the 23rd District since 2013 after re-districting.
He was formerly chairman of the California Young Republicans and the Young Republican National Federation. McCarthy was a representative in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2006, the last two years as Minority Leader. He ran successfully for Congress in 2006. McCarthy was elected to House leadership in his second term as Republican Chief Deputy Whip from 2009 to 2011. When the Republicans took control of the House in 2011, he became House Majority Whip from 2011 until August 2014, when he was elected House Majority Leader to replace the outgoing Eric Cantor, who was defeated in his primary election.