Good morning, Chicago.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was taunting an old Capitol Hill nemesis on the crowded floor of the Republican National Convention when an Illinois Republican Party official with a low profile outside of state GOP circles stepped in.
“Shut up, don’t be an a–hole,” Illinois Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter said to Gaetz, who was interrupting an interview being given by the man he helped oust as House speaker, former California U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
“Dude, I don’t even know who you are, man,” the boisterous congressman said to Porter, who quickly responded, “It doesn’t f—ing matter who I am. Don’t be an a–hole,” before Gaetz walked away.
Video of Tuesday night’s confrontation has since gotten more than a half a million views on the social media platform X, at least temporarily raising Porter’s profile — one online commentator flippantly calling for him to be the next House speaker.
That’s not likely to happen, but Porter may have designs on public office in Illinois. During this week’s convention, Porter has been among a handful of names floated by some Illinois top Republicans as possible GOP candidates for governor in 2026 as the state party looks to reinvent itself with new leadership after years of losing ground to Democrats.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner.
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