As Republicans Vote Out Jim Jordan, More GOP Members Step Up

Mary Margaret Olohan / October 20, 2023

During a secret ballot on Friday, House Republicans voted to remove Jim Jordan as the nominee for speaker of the House of Representatives.

Republicans held the closed-door vote on Friday afternoon after Jordan failed to win enough support in a third vote, Fox News reported. According to PunchBowl’s Jake Sherman, Jordan “lost handily” in the 112-86 vote.

Shortly afterward, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma announced that he is seeking the leadership role. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, Jodey Arrington of Texas, and Jack Bergman of Michigan are also reportedly considering the role.

We need a different type of leader who has a proven track record of success, which is why I’m running for Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/updVLkDCGh
— Congressman Kevin Hern (@repkevinhern) October 20, 2023

House Republicans shouldn’t be leaving town for the weekend.

We need to lock ourselves in a room and elect the 56th Speaker of the House.
— Rep. Jack Bergman (@RepJackBergman) October 20, 2023

Jordan obtained 194 votes from Republicans on Friday morning, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had 210 votes from Democrats, and 25 Republicans opted to vote for candidates other than Jordan.

Those Republicans who did not vote for Jordan were Don Bacon of Nebraska, Vern Buchanan of Florida, Ken Buck of Colorado, Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, Anthony D’Esposito of New York, Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Drew Ferguson of Georgia, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Tony Gonzales of Texas, Kay Granger of Texas, John James of Michigan, Tom Kean of New Jersey, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Nick Lakota of New York, Mike Lawler of New York, Marionette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, Marc Molinaro of New York, John Rutherford of Florida, Mike Simpson of Idaho, Pete Stauber of Minnesota, and Steve Womack of Arkansas.

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) talks to reporters after the House of Representatives failed to elevate Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) to Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

During Friday’s vote, three new Republicans who had supported Jordan in previous votes flipped against him: Fitzpatrick, Kean, and Molinaro.

Jordan had won 199 votes from Republicans on Wednesday and 200 votes from Republicans on Tuesday but received 194 votes on Friday.

Before the vote, McCarthy nominated Jordan for House speaker, praising him as a leader, a listener, and a fighter.

“Jim is the right person to take that seat behind me, to be our next speaker of the House,” McCarthy told Congress.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to the media as he leaves a closed-door House Republican meeting at the U.S. Capitol on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Shortly after the third vote, the eight Republican members who voted to oust McCarthy offered to accept censure or removal from the Republican conference in exchange for Republicans electing Jordan as speaker of the House of Representatives.

Andy Biggs of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Ken Buck of Colorado, Bob Good of Virginia, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Eli Crane of Arizona, and Matt Rosendale of Montana signed the “Dear Colleague” letter sent Friday to their Republican peers acknowledging the “rancor,” “hurt feelings,” and “acrimony” that their decision to vote against McCarthy has caused.

This post has been updated to correctly reflect the tally of the closed-door Friday vote.

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