Nine new Republican lawmakers have thrown their hat in the ring to become the next speaker of the U.S. House.
Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik released the list of candidates, who had until noon Sunday to announce their candidacy. The list, which Stefanik posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, is as follows:
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich.Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Penn.Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala.Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas
The new list of candidates comes after former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted from the role when Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., filed a motion to vacate. Then, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., was the party’s choice to become speaker, but he withdrew when he was unable to get the support he needed.
House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was next in line and worked for several days to get the needed 217 votes to become speaker. However, at least 20 Republicans voted against him across his three floor-vote attempts, and on Friday, his nomination was revoked.
Some of the candidates have more support than others. Donalds’ announcement drew more attention than some others.
Emmer has been a rumored pick for speaker as well. However, conservative Republicans have expressed frustration with moderate Republicans for rejecting Jordan, who had significant support with the Republican base but was seen as a hardline conservative who questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Please think about donating below.