The House Republican conference has nominated U.S. Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the Speaker’s gavel, marking a significant turn in the ideological trajectory of the party.
This comes after an unsettling period for the House GOP, who were left without a distinct leader following the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) last week.
This political shuffle was set into motion when a unique coalition, comprising eight Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Democrats, voted McCarthy out due to grievances over his approach to the government’s funding process.
This marked the first successful attempt to remove a top House lawmaker since 1910.
The catalyst for this decision was McCarthy’s choice to push a “clean” continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown, which passed with Democratic support but riled up his Republican critics.
Jordan, known for his rapid-speaking conservative stance and current leadership of the House Judiciary Committee, secured the nomination with 124 votes on Friday, outpacing a late bid from Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), which many viewed as a symbolic protest against Jordan’s campaign.
Earlier in the week, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) had won the nomination over Jordan but withdrew from the race by Wednesday, acknowledging the clear lack of support he would receive on the House floor, The Hill details.
Scalise’s move came after many in the party continued to back Jordan.
In anticipation of the nomination, Jordan commented, “I think we can unite the conference.”
He went on to add, “I’ve been saying this for a week, I think I’m one individual who can bring our team together and then help our team go tell the country what we’re doing and why it matters to them.”
The endorsement from former President Trump for Jordan last week suggests that, should Jordan win, Trump would have a solid supporter overseeing the House.
Republican Reps. Dusty Johnson (SD), Kevin Hern (OK), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY) presented Jordan for consideration at a Friday forum.
Reps. Kelly Armstrong (ND), Erin Houchin (IN), and Mike Carey (OH) also voiced their support earlier in the week.
“I think I can bring our team together,” Jordan told ABC News Friday afternoon.
Notably, McCarthy is also backing Jordan for his replacement behind the gavel.
“I’m going to support Jim Jordan,” McCarthy said. “But we’ll see… I think everybody has the right to run,” McCarthy said. “I think Jim’s better prepared in the process to be speaker.”
