Facing criticism from social media for her first vote in Washington, newly-elected Rep. Mia Love, (R-UT), emailed her explanation to the Washington Examiner.
Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, shocked some conservatives Tuesday when the first vote she cast as a new congresswoman was to keep Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, as House speaker.
Twitter erupted, with several people claiming to be in her district saying they had lost faith in their previous hero, and that she had shown her true self. Remember, this was not a vote on legislation, it was a vote for the speaker of the House.
“There were no qualified or notable campaigns for speaker within the Republican Party other than John Boehner,” Love said. “Casting a vote for a candidate who has not actively campaigned and does not have the support to be speaker is an indirect vote for Nancy Pelosi, and I will not vote for Nancy Pelosi.”
Love also claimed to be “playing the long game” in the fight for conservative principles. Conservatives frustrated with the GOP, and especially Boehner, may not be quick to accept her rationale.
“There will be a time and a place for me to stand as a lone voice of dissension, but the vote for the speaker, is not that place,” Love said. “For me to be an effective congressman over the next two years it is important for me to be on the side of the elected speaker.”