House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has declared his intention to re-enter the race for House Speaker after Steve Scalise dropped out of the competition on Thursday night.
According to NBC News, “House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said on Friday that he is re-entering the race for speaker, just a day after the GOP’s nominee, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, dropped his bid for the top job after failing to lock up enough support.”
Both Jim Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise initially announced their bids for House Speaker last week.
During a closed-door session on Wednesday, House Republicans selected Scalise as the nominee for Speaker with a vote of 113-99.
113 RINOS part from Jim Jordan. What a disgrace — Scalise is McCarthy in the flesh. It’s time for the conservatives in the party to rise up once again and reject RINOS from leadership! #TheGreatAmericaShow https://t.co/hwfhdCP8s1
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) October 11, 2023
Scalise withdrew from the race on Thursday night after failing to secure sufficient support for a full House vote.
On Friday morning, Congressman Richard Hudson, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, endorsed Jim Jordan for House Speaker.
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), an ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), expressed his support for Jordan in a statement on X, where he asserted that the most effective way to counter President Joe Biden’s agenda is to unite behind the conservative leader.
I believe Jim Jordan is the person who should lead us. The House Republican Majority is the last best chance to stop Biden and the anti-American liberals who are dragging this country down. We must unite behind one leader with the integrity, the ability and the vision to lead us. I believe Jim Jordan is that leader and I ask my colleagues to join me now.
— Rep. Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) October 13, 2023
Other lawmakers, initially upset by McCarthy’s removal, are beginning to come around. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), who had previously stated he would never support Rep. Jordan under any circumstances, now reconsidering his position.
Yesterday …
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) October 13, 2023
Q: Would you ever support Jordan under any scenario.
Simpson: “No.”
Today …. https://t.co/5qxaaYWfTM
On Thursday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) switched his support from Scalise to Jordan, taking the opportunity to criticize former Speaker Paul Ryan for growing the national deficit and debt during his time as Speaker. This move followed Ryan’s public criticism of Gaetz for his role in Rep. McCarthy’s removal from the position of Speaker.
Paul Ryan is a FAILED House Speaker who grew our deficit and debt. No wonder he has great empathy for Kevin McCarthy.
It’s Jim Jordan Time!
Paul Ryan is a FAILED House Speaker who grew our deficit and debt. No wonder he has great empathy for Kevin McCarthy.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 13, 2023
It’s Jim Jordan Time! pic.twitter.com/ZYU4UE2iu4
On Friday, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) said he is wading into the House’s dispute for the first time because Rep. Jordan is a “good friend and strong conservative.”
For years, I've stayed out of House leadership elections, but this time I endorsed @Jim_Jordan. Jim is a good friend and a strong conservative.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 13, 2023
My philosophy on political endorsements is to support the strongest conservative who can win. That is Jim Jordan.
