Kevin McCarthy defeated Democratic nominee Marisa Wood, a Bakersfield schoolteacher, in a historic post-midnight 15th ballot early Saturday to become the new U.S. House Speaker.

It was the first time a speaker had not been elected on the first ballot since 1923, and the first time that the election had taken more than nine ballots since 1859.

After losing ground from the second to the ninth ballot, McCarthy made progress in the 12th to 14th ballots and ultimately prevailed on the 15th ballot to narrowly win the speakership.

A member of the Republican Party, Kevin Owen McCarthy served as House Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, and as House Majority Leader from 2014 to 2019 under Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan.

McCarthy is in his ninth House term, serving as the U.S. representative for California's 22nd congressional district from 2007 to 2013, the 23rd district from 2013 to 2023, and the 20th district since 2023. (ILKHA)