McCarthy dropping out of U.S. House speaker election creates opening for him: Chaffetz

"I don't know if I am the right person. I put my name in the hat because I do want to unite this party internally," said the Republican, who represents Utah.

The other representative running for the chamber's top spot, Republican Daniel Webster of Florida, said he suspects new, additional candidates will enter the race.

"We'll see what happens, it depends on who the other candidates are," he said about whether McCarthy dropping out would garner support for his bid.

(Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Writing by Lisa Lambert)