Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, looking to build support for his speaker bid from the inside out, met with his fellow home state House Republicans on Wednesday in an effort to get their vote.
Jordan has received commitments from three of the nine other Ohio Republicans so far.
Jordan announced Wednesday that he’s making a run at the speakership to replace Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted by a cadre of hardline Republicans and Democrats in a historic vote Tuesday night. Jordan will be opposed by at least Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., currently the No. 2 House Republican, who also announced a bid.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the dean of the state’s congressional delegation, said he called the meeting Wednesday on Jordan’s behalf to state his case to the Buckeye State contingent. Turner is one of the three so far backing Jordan.
“We had an open and frank conversation with Jim Jordan, and I am proud to support Jim Jordan due to his leadership, professionalism and ability to bring this conference together,” Turner said.
Ohio Reps. Warren Davidson and Mike Carey have also thrown their support behind Jordan, who is also chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
“Jim unites our conference,” Davidson said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “His leadership, influence, and tireless effort have helped build our majority. … I unequivocally support my friend and America’s champion for freedom: Jim Jordan as the next speaker of the House.”
Carey also released a statement to the Examiner, saying, “House Republicans need a leader who can unite the conference and build on the accomplishments of Kevin McCarthy. … Jim Jordan is a proven conservative fighter who can continue delivering on our commitment to America.”
It’s unclear where the other Ohio House Republicans stand at this time. They are Reps. Brad Wenstrup, Bob Latta, Bill Johnson, Max Miller, Troy Balderson, and David Joyce.
Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., is also weighing a bid for speaker. Hern, the chairman of the House Republican Study Committee, told Newsmax Wednesday that "My wife and I are praying about it. It's a big decision.”
Scalise is seen as the early front-runner to replace McCarthy, who failed to survive a motion to vacate brought by his chief nemesis and antagonist, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Eight Republicans, led by Gaetz, voted to oust McCarthy, who could only survive five GOP defections given that Democrats agreed to vote en bloc for removal.
House Republicans are expected to hold a first round of internal voting at the Capitol on Tuesday.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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