California Congressman wins number two spot

Bakersfield Congressman will bring a different perspective to Congressional GOP leadership

WASHINGTON D.C. -- House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was chosen to serve as the next House majority leader Thursday in an unusual snap election caused by the primary defeat of outgoing Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.). The 49-year old McCarthy is serving his fourth term in Congress and his win makes him the fastest-rising majority leader in American history.

Representing the 23rd Congressional District, which is comprised of nearly 40 percent Hispanics, McCarthy was the first Republican in his family and a former State Assemblyman.  He opened his first business, a deli, at age 19 after winning $5,000 in the California Lottery.  He graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a degree in Marketing and received a Masters in Business Administration in 1994.  McCarthy was first elected to Congress in 2006.