Gary Palmer out as House GOP policy chair, loses seat to Oklahoma's Kevin Hern

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) was unseated from his lone chairmanship in the House Republican Policy Committee on Wednesday after members voted to replace him with U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.)

Palmer has served in Congress since 2014 and chaired the committee since 2019, winning three consecutive reelections. He initially stated that he would limit himself to five terms in Congress. However, he announced his bid for a sixth term in 2023, garnering significant criticism from his GOP opponents and others.

I’m honored to be elected by my peers to serve as the Republican Policy Chair in the next Congress.

The next two years will shape our country’s future, and I'm ready to roll my sleeves up and deliver the policy wins America deserves. pic.twitter.com/ftIY1KYSzf
— Congressman Kevin Hern (@repkevinhern) November 13, 2024

"I did say that I would only serve five terms. I understand how people are going to respond to that. I own that. … I really struggled with the decision to run again, but I believe it's what I'm supposed to do," Palmer told 1819 News in March 2023.

Palmer cited his leadership position on the Policy Committee and his seats on the Republican Steering Committee, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as the main drivers behind his decision to run again.

"There are other people that asked me to run again," Palmer said during a Republican debate in January 2023. "As I pointed out, I think we're in a critical point in our country. I really did struggle with this going back. I felt like the job is not done. President Trump, I'm working with him on some things and it is my hope and prayer that he gets elected, that we get the majority in the House and Senate. I think that we've got about a two-year window to really make some change. Again, I'm a person of deep faith. It's really challenged my decision on this. I really believe that God wanted me to do this."

According to Punchbowl News reporter Jake Sherman, Hern received 111 votes to secure the position, beating the incumbent Palmer, who claimed 99. U.S. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) was rumored also to be vying for the seat. However, the only other person to receive a vote was U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Col.), who received just one vote.

KEVIN HERN has made it into GOP leadership.

He won the policy chair race

Hern - 111
Gary Palmer - 91
Lauren Boebert - 1
Present - 1

Gary Palmer was the incumbent.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) November 13, 2024