In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, lost the first-round vote to become the House speaker. Despite the support of Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, who vouched for Jordan, 20 Republicans joined all Democrats to shoot down his candidacy. This setback, however, may not be the end of Jordan’s bid for the gavel, as his allies have indicated their willingness to continue the fight through multiple rounds of voting.
The vote for the House speaker saw seven Republicans backing Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who was previously the speaker-designate but withdrew due to mounting opposition. Additionally, six GOP lawmakers voted for ousted ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., while three moderate New York Republicans supported former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York. Other votes were cast for House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.
Jordan, known for his conservative stance, had been selected as the House GOP’s candidate for speaker in an anonymous vote last week. However, it quickly became evident that winning the support of moderate and establishment Republicans would be an uphill battle. Many Republicans who objected to his speakership opted to vote for either McCarthy or Scalise.
Despite the setback, Jordan’s allies remain undeterred. They have signaled their willingness to continue the fight, even if it takes multiple rounds of voting to secure a majority. While the exact number of rounds Jordan is willing to go through was not disclosed, he emphasized the importance of getting a speaker in place as soon as possible.
The loss in the first round of voting underscores the division within the Republican Party, with moderates and establishment Republicans expressing reservations about Jordan’s candidacy. However, his supporters, including Rep. Mike Turner, remain steadfast in their belief that he is the best choice for House speaker.
As the battle for the House speaker position continues, it remains to be seen whether Jordan can rally enough support to secure the gavel. The outcome of this contest will have significant implications for the future direction of the Republican Party and its leadership in the House.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital, who focuses on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics, contributed to this report. Elkind has previous bylines at Daily Mail and CBS News. For more updates on the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews, subscribe to this newsletter and follow Elizabeth Elkind on Twitter at @liz_elkind.
