Jim Jordan declined his candidacy for Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Ohio congressman lost three consecutive votes and decided to step aside after a private meeting of the Republican Conference, in which a majority of his colleagues let him know that they would withdraw their support. Of course, some legislators have already begun to show their willingness to be possible replacements.
Following the third vote for speaker, in which Jordan received fewer votes than in his two previous attempts, the Conference met behind closed doors to discuss a plan of action. A vote was proposed to define whether Jordan would be kept as a candidate or if other options would be sought. When the secret ballot ended, the Ohio congressman was no longer the Republican chosen to hold the gavel.
As reported by POLITICO, 122 Republicans preferred to stop supporting the current chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, while 86 chose to keep him.
The House Republican Conference just voted to REMOVE Jim Jordan from Speaker consideration via a secret ballot.
Jim Jordan is NO LONGER the Speaker Designate.
The will of the American people has been ignored.
The GOP will pay dearly for this. pic.twitter.com/HXlO3wmHKO
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) October 20, 2023
"It was an honor to be their speaker designee. But I felt it was important that we all — we all know an answer to the question, do they want me to continue in that role. And so we put the question to them and they made a decision," Jordan said after the results were known.
In turn, he called for GOP unity to bring results to the voters, who in 2022 decided to take away the Democrats' majority in the House of Representatives. "But it's important we do unite. Let's — let's figure out who that individual is, get behind him and get to work for the American people," he added.
"We are in a very bad position as a party"
Kevin McCarthy lamented the situation and said that it ultimately weakened the Republican Party as such. "I'm concerned about where we go from here. It's astonishing to me, and we are in a very bad position as a party", he said.
Ralph Norman (R-SC), one of Jordan's staunchest supporters, expressed himself along the same lines. In his view, the House missed "a true conservative who could have been speaker."
On the other hand, Mike Lawler (R-NY), one of those who opposed the Ohio congressmen, congratulated him for stepping aside in an exit that he described as "very gracious."
"We need to come together and figure out who our Speaker is going to be and I’m going to work as hard as I can to help that individual so that we can go help the American people," he added.
Emmer, Donalds and Hern: all interested in the position
With Jordan out of the race, other top Republicans are considering seeking the Republican nomination for House speaker. The top three names are Tom Emmer (R-MN), Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Byron Donalds (R-FL). All of them will have to begin negotiating with their colleagues to reach the 217 votes that the Ohioan could not get in three votes.
Another option that has not yet been ruled out is Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who could continue with his interim position until the end of the year if there is no elected candidate.
