great divisions in the house gop conference were apparent after the 2014 midterm elections, with conservative members, many of them from the right-leaning freedom caucus, expressing dissatisfaction with congressional leadership. john boehner's surprise announcement in september 2015 that he would step down as speaker sent shockwaves through the house. after majority leader kevin mccarthy bowed out of the race to replace boehner due to a lack of support, house ways and means chair paul ryan announced he would run, with the freedom caucus' support. ryan was elected speaker on october 29.