In a surprising turn of events, House Republicans who previously voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are now showing support for Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s candidacy for the gavel. Emmer, one of several Republicans vying for the speaker’s position, has gained momentum after Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio failed to secure enough votes in the last nomination round.
Emmer, endorsed by McCarthy himself, entered Tuesday morning’s votes with a significant advantage. Some members who played a role in McCarthy’s ousting have expressed openness to Emmer’s candidacy, signaling a potential shift in their support. Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a close associate of Emmer, has not yet made a public endorsement but has voted for Emmer multiple times during previous rounds of balloting.
Similarly, Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee’s spokesperson stated that while Burchett has not specifically endorsed Emmer, he is willing to vote for any candidate who can secure the necessary 217 votes for speakership. Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana also plans to support the eventual GOP nominee.
However, other Republican representatives, such as Matt Gaetz of Florida, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Bob Good of Virginia, and Eli Crane of Arizona, have not yet revealed their stance on the matter.
Emmer is currently the front-runner in this internal contest, having secured 78 votes in the first round of voting, with his closest competitor, Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, obtaining only 29 votes. It is expected that multiple rounds of voting will be necessary, as per current House GOP Conference rules, where a conference majority is required to be named speaker-designate. If no candidate secures a majority in a given round, the candidate with the fewest votes is withdrawn, and another round is held.
There is speculation about Emmer’s ability to unite the various factions within the GOP, as previous candidates Jordan and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise failed to do so. However, McCarthy has expressed confidence in Emmer’s ability to lead, stating that he understands the dynamics of the conference and what it takes to maintain a majority. Emmer himself emphasizes teamwork, communication, and respect as essential elements for building on the Republican Party’s recent successes.
This election comes three weeks after McCarthy’s unprecedented removal from the House speaker position in the middle of a congressional term. It remains to be seen if Emmer can overcome the challenges faced by his predecessors and rally the Republican Party behind his leadership.
Contributing reporting by Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind, Adam Shaw, and Thomas Phippen.
Houston Keene is a politics writer for Digital. For story tips, contact [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @HoustonKeene. Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to our newsletter.
