In the fast-paced world of American politics, it’s often easy to overlook the quiet yet pivotal roles played by the spouses of public figures. Judy McCarthy, wife of Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is one such person. Standing by her husband’s side through over 30 years of marriage, Judy has been a steadfast support system throughout Kevin’s political career. Despite her husband’s public prominence, Judy has largely remained out of the spotlight, focusing on her family, faith, and community involvement. Here is everything you need to know about Judy McCarthy, the woman who has been a constant source of strength and inspiration for one of the most prominent figures in American politics.
A Humble Beginning: Life Before Politics
Judy McCarthy, née Wages, grew up in the small town of Frazier Park, California, the youngest of four children. Raised in a tight-knit, working-class family, her father worked for National Cement, and her mother instilled a deep sense of faith in her children. Reflecting on her upbringing, Judy has described her father as a “perfect example of hard work.” Despite modest beginnings, the values she inherited from her parents would become the bedrock of her life and her family’s guiding principles.
It was during her high school years at Bakersfield High School that Judy first met Kevin McCarthy. Although Kevin was immediately drawn to her, Judy was initially interested in one of his friends. However, Kevin’s persistent and winning personality eventually captured her heart. The two shared a biology class together, and it was there that their relationship began to blossom.
Building a Life Together: Marriage and Family
After graduating from California State University, Bakersfield, Kevin and Judy were married on August 29, 1992. Over the next several years, the McCarthys built a life together that would see them grow from a young couple in Bakersfield to a family deeply rooted in both their community and the political landscape of the United States.
The couple welcomed their first child, Connor McCarthy, in 1994, followed by their daughter Meghan in 1996. Judy, who remained primarily focused on raising their children, was also active in her local community and church. She has described herself not as a “politician’s wife,” but rather as her “own person and a Christian,” emphasizing the importance of faith and family over political ambition.
Both Connor and Meghan have been actively supportive of their father’s political career. When Kevin was elected Speaker of the House in January 2023, the entire McCarthy family was there to celebrate his victory on the steps of the Capitol. Despite the challenges of public life, Judy has remained a dedicated mother and wife, providing unwavering support for her husband’s political endeavors.
A Supportive Partner Through Political Highs and Lows
Judy McCarthy has been a constant presence beside Kevin as he climbed the political ladder. When Kevin was elected House Majority Leader in 2014, Judy described the moment as “humbling” for their family. “We didn’t take it lightly,” she shared with The Bakersfield Californian. “In one day, your responsibilities are greater, and it is humbling… You keep your family first and don’t look at this as some glamor thing.”
Despite the demands of political life, Judy has kept her family grounded, reminding them that their primary role is to serve the public with a “servant heart.” This sense of humility was tested again in January 2023, when Kevin was elected Speaker of the House after 15 rounds of voting—a historic event that underscored the intense political scrutiny and division within Congress. However, his tenure was cut short just nine months later when far-right Republicans joined forces with Democrats to oust him in a recall vote, an event that Judy weathered with her characteristic resilience and grace.
Beyond Politics: A Life of Faith and Community Involvement
While Judy McCarthy may be best known as the wife of a prominent political figure, she has also made significant contributions to her community. For over a decade, she has served on the board of trustees for Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., the historic site where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Her passion for this role is deeply rooted in her commitment to preserving Lincoln’s legacy and her own sense of civic duty. “Judy has true passion for our mission to celebrate the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln,” Paul R. Tetreault, the Ford’s Theatre Society director, once noted.
Judy is also active in her church and community, viewing her life’s work as a form of ministry. She has called the Bible her favorite book and takes her Christian responsibilities seriously, seeing them as foundational to her family and public life. “I am not the politician’s wife. I am my own person and a Christian,” she once told The Bakersfield Californian.
A Family Grounded in Love and Faith
Throughout their marriage, Kevin and Judy McCarthy have remained deeply connected to their roots in Bakersfield, California. Despite the frequent travel and the challenges that come with a political career, the McCarthys never fully left Bakersfield, continuing to own their home there even as Kevin’s career took them to Washington, D.C. This decision speaks volumes about their commitment to maintaining a stable family life, grounded in the values they both hold dear.
Their children, Connor and Meghan, have grown up with these same values. Connor, who attended Georgetown University, has remained close to his parents, even joining Kevin at events like a Japan state dinner at the White House in 2015. Meghan, diagnosed with Lyme disease at a young age, has faced her own challenges but, as Judy notes, “She is so strong, and we are very fortunate.”
Conclusion: Judy McCarthy, A Woman of Substance
Judy McCarthy embodies the qualities of a dedicated wife, mother, and community member, whose influence often goes unrecognized in the shadow of her husband’s political career. However, her strength, faith, and dedication have played an indispensable role in shaping the man who served as Speaker of the House. Through the highs and lows of political life, Judy has remained a figure of grace and stability, an anchor in the stormy seas of American politics. As much as Kevin McCarthy’s career has been shaped by the decisions made in the halls of power, it has also been shaped by the quiet strength and enduring support of his wife, Judy.