Who is running for House speaker? These are the Republicans aiming for the top job after Jordan's exit

Author: Editors Desk Source: USA Today

October 21, 2023 at 07:49

Republican Rep. Jim Jordan failed to win the vote to become House speaker on a crucial second ballot. Next steps are uncertain.

WASHINGTON – After House Republicans voted to drop Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, as their speaker nominee, a mad dash for the top job has started within the deeply divided House Republican conference.

After voting to abandon Jordan as their nominee by a vote of 112-86, GOP lawmakers are headed home for the weekend to recuperate after a chaotic series of events on Capitol Hill. In the meantime, some Republicans have immediately declared their candidacy with others still considering a run.

House Republicans will hear from prospective speakers when they return to Washington for a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The earliest the House could elect a new speaker is Tuesday.

Here's who is running for speaker or seriously considering a run.

Tom Emmer

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., began making calls to run for speaker after Jordan's exit from the race, according to a source familiar.

As whip, Emmer is the No. 3 ranking House Republican. Ousted former speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endorsed the Minnesota Republican for the speakership in a huge boost for Emmer's candidacy. McCarthy still commands the respect of the vast majority of the House Republican conference.

"He is the right person for the job. He can unite the conference. He understands the dynamics of the conference. He also understands what it takes to win and keep a majority," McCarthy said to Punchbowl News.

U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., watches as the House of Representatives votes for a third time on whether to elevate Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) to Speaker of the House in the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. — U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., watches as the House of Representatives votes for a third time on whether to elevate Rep.
Jim Jordan (R-OH) to Speaker of the House in the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Kevin Hern

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., was one of the first candidates who jumped into the speaker's race, immediately announcing his candidacy to reporters after House Republicans dropped Jordan as their nominee.

"We need a different type of leader who has a proven track record of success, which is why I'm running for Speaker of the House," Hern said in a statement.

The Oklahoma Republican is chair of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of around 170 GOP lawmakers making it the largest group of House Republicans.

Earlier this month, Hern made calls to every single House Republican to gauge support for an earlier run but ultimately decided against it, declining to run against previous speaker nominees Jordan and House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., speaks to reporters as House Republicans hold a caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building on October 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. — U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., speaks to reporters as House Republicans hold
a caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building on October 13, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Austin Scott

Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., was a little-known lawmaker until earlier this month when he launched a surprise challenge to Jordan's speakership bid as a protest candidate against the conservative firebrand.

Scott ran against Jordan in an internal vote within the House Republican conference to select a nominee. Scott lost the nomination by a vote of 124-81. The Georgia Republican rallied behind Jordan after his loss but Jordan's exit, Scott immediately jumped back in the race.

"There's a lot of people that appreciated what we did," Scott told USA TODAY about his first speaker campaign.

Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., and Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., depart meeting with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Byron Donalds

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, is running for speaker according to a spokesperson from his office.

Donalds has played a large role in key negotiations between moderate and ultraconservative GOP lawmakers. During Jordan's failed speaker elections, some GOP holdouts voted for Donalds as a protest candidate.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., speaks to reporters as House Republicans meet to hold an internal House speaker election on Oct. 11, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Jack Bergman

As it slowly became clear Jordan could not earn the support he needed in his quest for the speakership before he was dropped as the nominee, Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., considered issuing a challenge to the Ohio Republican but did not follow through.

With Jordan out however, Bergman immediately jumped in the race announcing his candidacy.

"My hat is in the ring, and I feel confident I can win the votes where others could not. I have no special interests to serve; I’m only in this to do what's best for our Nation and to steady the ship for the 118th Congress," Bergman said in a statement.

Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., speaks to reporters as he arrives to a meeting with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. — Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., speaks to reporters as he arrives to a meeting
with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Jodey Arrington

Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chair of the House Budget Committee, told reporters he is "seriously considering" running for speaker.

Arrington's name has been floated by several lawmakers as an alternative candidate during Jordan's candidacy but the lawmaker fell behind the Ohio Republicans' speakership bid at the time.

Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas., speaks with reporters after a meeting where House Republicans voted to nominate House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., to be the next Speaker of the House, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington. — Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas., speaks with reporters after a meeting where House Republicans voted to nominate
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of La., to be the next Speaker of the House, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington.

Mike Johnson

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., vice chair of the House Republican conference, is currently making calls considering a run for speaker.

“Rep. Johnson is calling his colleagues regarding a run for Speaker," Corinne Day, a spokesperson for Johnson said.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to a meeting with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 09, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Pete Sessions

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, also launched a bid for speaker immediately following Jordan's exit.

"Congressman Sessions believes he can forge a positive path as a conservative leader who can unite the Conference," Sessions' office said in a statement.'