Nine Candidates Vying for House Speaker Position as Jim Jordan Drops Out
ICARO Media Group
In a recent development, nine candidates have joined the race for House speaker after Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio decided to withdraw his bid last week, according to a report by NBC News. As the deadline to announce a speaker bid passed at noon E.T. on Sunday, the Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik took to the platform formerly known as Twitter, now called X, to announce the new contenders.
The GOP candidate forum is set to take place on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. ET. Following this, an internal conference vote will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry has expressed his intention to move to a floor vote "as soon as Tuesday."
Let's take a look at the candidates who have thrown their hat into the ring:
1. Emmer: On Saturday, Emmer, the No. 3 Republican in leadership, officially announced his bid after making calls the previous day. He received an early endorsement from ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. Emmer, who previously served as the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, emphasized teamwork and communication in his letter to colleagues.
2. Johnson: Johnson also began making calls on Friday and announced his speakership bid on Saturday. In a letter to colleagues, Johnson stressed the need for a specific plan, decisive action, and a leader who prioritizes conservative principles. He has served four terms, sits on the House Judiciary Committee, and voiced his support for Jordan's bid for speaker previously.
3. Bergman: Retired Marine Corps lieutenant general and fourth-term lawmaker Bergman threw his hat into the ring on Friday. He emphasized the importance of choosing a speaker to ensure proper functioning of the government, particularly in times of crisis. Bergman previously supported Jordan's bid for speaker.
4. Donalds: Second term lawmaker Donalds, who sits on the Financial Services and Oversight committees, announced his speakership bid on Friday. His focus is on securing the border, responsible government funding, and advancing a conservative vision. He was nominated for speaker by his conservative Freedom Caucus colleagues earlier this year.
5. Hern: Chairman of the Republican Study Committee Hern, the largest caucus of conservatives on Capitol Hill, launched his bid on Friday. He stressed the need for unity and a proven track record of success in his statement. Hern had previously voted in support of Jordan's bid.
6. Meuser: Meuser, a former business executive, expressed his consideration for a bid after Jordan dropped out. Coming from a business background, Meuser intends to bring a business perspective and gain consensus. He entered Congress in 2019, serves on the House Financial Services and Small Business Committees, and previously served as the secretary of revenue in Pennsylvania.
7. Palmer: Fifth-term Congressman Palmer, the chair of the Republican Policy Committee since 2019, announced his bid. Serving on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee, Palmer previously co-founded the Alabama Policy Institute.
8. Scott: Scott, who challenged Jordan for speaker, has signaled his intention to run again after Jordan withdrew his bid. Scott emphasized the importance of acting like the majority if they are to be the majority and stated his previous support for Jordan's candidacy.
9. Sessions: Former Rules Committee chairman Sessions also announced his bid on Friday. Sessions aims to be a conservative leader who can unite the Conference.
As the race for House speaker intensifies, the candidates will face the GOP candidate forum on Monday. The internal conference vote on Tuesday will bring them closer to determining who will take on the important role of House speaker.