House Republicans are gearing up for their third attempt to select a speaker candidate after their previous two nominees dropped out of the race. The closed-door election, conducted through an anonymous secret ballot, will take place on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Nine Republicans are currently vying for the speakership, including Tom Emmer, Mike Johnson, Gary Palmer, Kevin Hern, Byron Donalds, Jack Bergman, Austin Scott, Pete Sessions, and Dan Meuser.
The candidates had the opportunity to make their case to the GOP conference on Monday night at a candidate forum, with Emmer emerging as the frontrunner, having secured the endorsement of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Donalds and Bergman also boast multiple endorsements heading into the election. According to House GOP Conference rules, a candidate must win a conference majority to be named speaker-designate, which may require multiple rounds of voting.
This election comes in the wake of McCarthy’s removal from the speaker position, marking the first time in history that the House of Representatives has ousted their leader in the middle of a congressional term. Last week, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan was initially selected by House Republicans as the speaker-designate, but he withdrew from the race after failing to secure the necessary 217 votes. Prior to Jordan, Majority Leader Steve Scalise was the conference’s original choice, but he also dropped out due to opposition from Jordan allies.
The upcoming speaker vote holds significant importance for House Republicans as they seek to establish new leadership and navigate the ongoing challenges facing the party. The outcome of this election will shape the direction of the GOP and its ability to effectively address key issues in the coming months.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter focused on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics, contributed to this article. Elkind’s previous work can be seen at Daily Mail and CBS News. For the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews, subscribe to this newsletter.
