By Maria Recio, Special to the American-Statesman WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a two-term Republican from Hays County, launched a last-minute bid Friday to succeed Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., as the No. 3 House Republican, but he lost by a large margin after former President Donald Trump weighed in, insulting Roy, and supporting his opponent. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik beat Roy 134-46 with nine members abstaining and three others receiving a single vote in the secret ballot. House Republicans had removed Cheney as House Republican Conference chair by voice vote on Wednesday. “As I said from the beginning, our goal was to provide an alternative with a proven record of standing up not for politicians — but for freedom, the Constitution, and the conservative principles Americans hold dear,” Roy said.