Kevin McCarthy, the former House Speaker, has thrown some shade at Rep. Nancy Mace as she struggles with several personal and career issues. He mentioned her problems with her staff during a Capitol Hill visit and suggested she may need professional help.

The former speaker’s remarks reflect a lingering anger against Mace. Mace was one of the eight House Republicans that voted last year to remove him from his position as speaker.

Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the House (R-Calif.), attacked Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. during a visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. He said she needed to “straighten her life”.

Mace, who was one of eight GOP members to vote against McCarthy’s election as Speaker in the past year, faces a primary challenge by her former chief-of-staff and is reportedly suffering from a staff that is in turmoil.

McCarthy told reporters, “I hope Nancy gets the support she needs.” “I hope that she receives the help needed to get her life in order, she’s certainly got many challenges.”

He continued, “Nobody will work for her. You can’t hire someone who flip-flops depending on what TV station they are placed on. You want someone willing to work. I hope she receives that kind of support.”

He said: “I did not say that.” When asked whether he would avoid trying to unseat her in the primary season.

McCarthy has already indicated that he will support a primary race against Mace, whom he mentored until she turned on McCarthy. Former Speaker McCarthy, who left Congress in December, encouraged Dan Hanlon to run as her opponent during the primary elections.

People familiar with the discussions say that Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who promised to offer Hanlon a position during a fiery press conference after Mace decided to remove McCarthy from his post as Speaker of the House led to a vote to remove McCarthy, privately encouraged Hanlon to explore a primary opportunity.

Politico first reported this news. “Hanlon is pleased with the reception of the idea and the number of people looking for an alternative to Mace, both in D.C. money people and in S.C.,” said a Republican who was familiar with Hanlon’s decision-making processes. A former Mace staffer, who spoke to The Washington Post, said that Hanlon had been urged to take action against Mace by people in South Carolina and on Capitol Hill as Hanlon became more difficult to work with.

McCarthy isn’t likely to target Mace alone; it is believed that he will go after all Republican legislators who voted against McCarthy. McCarthy is a skilled fundraiser, and his primary challengers may be a real danger to those who are the target of his revenge.

McCarthy, according to an article in Politico, is planning revenge on the eight Republican legislators he believes have betrayed his trust.

The outlet reported that:

According to six sources familiar with the plans, who requested anonymity, a top McCarthy ally named Brian O. Walsh is leading an effort to recruit primary opponents to challenge members of the “Gaetz Eight,” the Capitol’s nickname given to Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and the seven Republicans who backed his anti-McCarthy campaign.

McCarthy will be reportedly using his extensive “donor networks” to target Gaetz and other candidates with well-funded, strong primary challenges.

Walsh was quoted saying, “These traitors have chosen to side with Nancy Pelosi and AOC, and over 200 Democrats, to undermine their institution, fellow Republicans, and the duly elected speaker.” “There have to be consequences.”

This development may be more than just a personal dispute. This appears to reflect the growing rift between the establishment of the Republican Party and the populist Trumpian wing. McCarthy’s decision to become more involved in the primary races could have a significant impact on the outcome of some races.