Jim Jordan Narrowly Secures GOP Nomination for House Speaker
In a closely contested internal nomination for House Speaker within the GOP, far-right Ohio Republican Jim Jordan emerged as the victor, setting the stage for a challenging journey ahead for the staunch Trump ally and founder of the House Freedom Caucus.
The contentious vote took place following the withdrawal of Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise, who had outpaced Jordan 113 to 99 in an earlier vote but opted out when it became evident that he could not secure the necessary 217 votes for the speakership. Jordan’s victory on Friday was a slender one, with the GOP caucus divided 124 to 81 in a secret ballot between Jordan and moderate Georgia Representative Austin Scott, who entered the race at the last minute.
A subsequent secret ballot, aimed at gauging the number of Republicans who would support Jordan in a House vote, yielded a count of 152-55. Jordan now faces the challenging task of securing 217 votes in the House, a formidable undertaking for a polarizing figure who once occupied the furthest right wing of the GOP caucus.
The ongoing turmoil threatens to hinder the House’s return to legislative work, potentially affecting critical international and domestic issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and an impending government shutdown.
The prospects of Jordan receiving Democratic support in a floor vote are virtually non-existent. A dozen House representatives gathered outside the Capitol after Jordan’s nomination, denouncing the pick. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled Jordan the “chairman of the chaos caucus” and an “extremist extraordinaire.”
Democratic comments on Jordan’s nomination offer a glimpse into how they would frame a Jordan speakership during the 2024 campaign season. Representative Katherine Clark accused those voting for Jordan of siding with an insurrectionist against democracy, referencing Jordan’s documented involvement in supporting Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his defense of the former president post-January 6, 2021.
Despite some arguments that Jordan’s close ties to Trump might sway wavering House members concerned about alienating the party’s pro-Trump base, Jordan’s ability to rally support appears hindered by the recent acrimonious events within the GOP. The removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker on October 3 by a small group of far-right members, along with the failure to unite around Scalise, has contributed to the discord.
Jordan’s handling of the recent votes, including his conduct during the Wednesday vote, has not endeared him to some of his colleagues, with Missouri Representative Anna Wagner describing his behavior as “disgraceful” and “ungracious.” Jordan does have the backing of McCarthy and Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, but Scalise, who refrained from supporting Jordan after exiting the race, remains an outlier.