The House Freedom Caucus, which has been defending Constitutional conservatism in Congress for more than a decade, is in line for a major makeover next year. That is because several key members of the caucus are leaving office at the end of the year. Most are leaving to run for higher office. Florida's Byron Donalds, South Carolina's Ralph Norman, Wisconsin's Tom Tiffany, and Arizona's Andy Biggs are all running for governor in their states. Alabama Congressman Barry Moore is running for Senate in his state, and Chip Roy of Texas is leaving after his unsuccessful run for Texas attorney general.
All of those departures will leave a large void, but supporters believe the mission of the caucus---which often involves calling out party leadership---will continue undeterred. "It's so easy to go along to get along," says Christian Collins, former Texas congressional candidate who has worked with the caucus. "But they want people that will be willing to buck the system when things get tough, they want people that are willing to think for themselves and fight, even against their own party...and that's what the Freedom Caucus has been about."
Despite the departures, the caucus retains some key members, and stands to gain some new ones. Founding Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio and current Chair Andy Harris of Maryland will both continue, while younger leaders are emerging like Brandon Gill and Keith Self of Texas. And there may be an even stronger Texas influence on the caucus next year, if Steve Toth and Brandon Herrera win their respective races. Toth defeated Dan Crenshaw in the primary, and Herrera is running to replace Tony Gonzales, who resigned in disgrace. Both are likely to join the Freedom Caucus.
Collins, who knows both Toth and Herrera, believes they would carry on the tenets of the Freedom Caucus. "They've got to ensure we are doing things that the people want, and actually listening to everyday people, not just what Wall Street or the corporate interests want," says Collins. "And if they do that, it will keep us going in the right direction."
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