Jim Jordan Fails to Rally GOP in First Round Vote for House Speaker
Mary Margaret Olohan /
Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio failed to garner support from enough Republicans during the first round of voting for speaker of the United States House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Jordan had seen a flurry of support from House conservatives who had formerly said they would not back him: Mike Rogers of Alabama, Ann Wagner of Missouri, Ken Calvert of California, and Vern Buchanon of Florida all announced support for Jordan this week.
But during the Tuesday vote, 20 Republicans voted for a candidate other than Jordan, and no member had the necessary votes to be elected. The House is now expected to undergo a second vote.
Jordan received 200 votes, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries received 212 votes, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy received six votes.
Those Republicans who did not vote for Jordan were Don Bacon of Nebraska, Ken Buck of Colorado, Lori Chavez-Deremer of Oregon, Anthony D’Esposito of New York, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Vincente Gonzales of Texas, Kay Granger of Texas, John James of Michigan, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Nick LaLota of New York, Doug LaMalfa of California, Mike Lawler of New York, John Rutherford of Florida, Mike Simpson of Idaho, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, and Steve Womack of Arkansas.
McCarthy, who was ousted from his leadership position on Oct. 3, announced on Monday that he would endorse Jordan to be the next speaker. McCarthy had won the speaker position in January after 15 rounds of voting.
“It’s one thing to get elected,” McCarthy said in a social media post Monday evening. “It’s another thing to govern. It’s time to get the House out of this tailspin, come together, and get America back on the right track. @Jim_Jordan can do it.”
And former President Donald Trump similarly endorsed the Ohio Republican, saying in a Truth Social post: “Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C., representing Ohio’s 4th Congressional District. He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!”
Democrats have unified in opposing Jordan, who they have painted as radical and extreme.
“The idea that GOP are about to nominate Jim Jordan of all people (yes, Jan 6th Jim Jordan, ban-all abortions-from-conception Jim Jordan, sexual abuse coverup Jim Jordan) for *Speaker of the House* in an attempt to save their majority… they deserve to lose,” said Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in an X post on Tuesday ahead of the vote.
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