This is exactly what he did. He apparently organized the ouster of George Santos, and also was interested in ejecting Matt Gaetz if he was able to before he (Kevin McCarthy) resigned. His intention is to leave the GOP fucked by having only the slimmest of majorities while punishing the people who worked against him.
Surely it can't be that difficult to goad McCarthy into continuing his vendetta after he leaves office. He's no friend to Democrats, but he doesn't have to be our friend to decide that he doesn't care if we win, so long as Gaetz and company lose.
And him leaving means less money. Guy was an ahole of the highest order but he knew exactly how to get rich Republicans to give out their money. I highly doubt he passes that on and no one currently is in a position to replace him in terms of fund raising.
Redistricting in 2022 turned CA-20 from strong blue to strong red, so it's unlikely that a Democrat will fill the seat. But - and I never thought I would say this - thank you, Kevin McCarthy, for further threatening the American Fascist majority in the House.
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is required under state law to call a special election within two weeks of McCarthy’s seat becoming vacant. That special election must take place between 126 and 140 days later, though it may be able to coincide with California’s congressional primaries on March 5.