House Republicans nominated Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) on Friday in the party’s second attempt to elect a Speaker candidate.
In a closed-door meeting, the House Republican Conference voted 124-81 for Jordan over Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA).
However, the tally remains significantly below the threshold Jordan needs to earn the House Speaker role.
Scott’s last-minute entry into the race reportedly was a ‘protest’ against Jordan’s candidacy.
BREAKING …
JORDAN – 124
SCOTT – 81Jordan picked up just 25 votes. Scott, who didn't campaign for the job and got in minutes before the race, got 81 votes.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 13, 2023
In a second vote to ask House Republicans if they would support Jordan in a House Floor vote, Jordan fell 65 votes short of 217.
The tally was 152-55.
BREAKING — JIM JORDAN wins validation vote 152-55
WAY short of a total to be in a position to go to the floor.
He's 65 votes short of 217.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 13, 2023
“Now take it to the floor and let those 55 vote in public on whether they want a good conservative as Speaker,” Greg Price commented.
“I’m sure the reason many of these people are voting against Jordan is because it’s being held behind closed doors. Most of these people want to talk conservative in public while hiding who they really are.”
I'm sure the reason many of these people are voting against Jordan is because it's being held behind closed doors. Most of these people want to talk conservative in public while hiding who they really are.
To the floor!
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 13, 2023
Although House Majority Leader Steve Scalise won the first GOP internal vote, the Louisiana Republican dropped out after failing to garner enough support.
“I think we can unite the conference,” Jordan said, according to The Hill.
“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,” he added.
The Hill reports:
The fast-talking hard-line conservative’s official nomination comes amid intense turbulence in the House GOP, and it is far from certain that Jordan can win the gavel on the House floor. The conference has been rudderless and chaotic since the House ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week.
Jordan will go up against Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on the House floor — if he can secure enough support.
A second vote Friday asking members if they would support Jordan on the House floor as the nominee came in at 152-55, far short of the 217 he needs to clinch the gavel.
And some Republicans are sharply opposed to Jordan’s bid.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, told reporters Friday that there was nothing that Jordan could do to win his support.
During a Thursday night closed-door House GOP conference meeting, Scott stood up and announced his opposition to Jordan, according to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and another House Republican.
