On October 8, 2015. Representative Walter B. Jones Jr. had sent a letter to the Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, stating that any candidates for a leadership position with "misdeeds" should withdraw from the race.
Jones has stated that his comment did not specifically refer to McCarthy. It was widely seen as referring to rumors that McCarthy had an extramarital affair with fellow Representative, Renee Ellmers.