Reps Kevin Hern, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, and Jim Jordan are just some of the names being floated
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s surprise decision not to seek re-election as Speaker of the House after being ousted by members of his own party surprised many on Tuesday evening. The decision also created a vacancy in the role of House speaker, with GOP lawmakers reaching out to their colleagues shortly after McCarthy, a Republican from California, stepped aside.
The House Republican Conference is expected to hold a candidate forum for the House Speaker position next Tuesday, followed by an election on Wednesday. This process will determine McCarthy’s successor as Speaker of the House.
After Kevin McCarthy’s ouster, GOP lawmakers floated Trump for speaker
Steve Scalise
Many rank-and-file Republicans see Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana as the natural front-runner for House speaker, as a senior House GOP aide suggests. However, Scalise faces a significant health hurdle, having been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatment.
Ultimately, any decision regarding his health and speaker candidacy rests with Scalise and his family. While there is no clear consensus yet, most members of the conference are open to the idea of Scalise as speaker, the aide said. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, is among those who have mentioned Scalise as a potential candidate.
Representative Austin Scott, Republican of Georgia, spoke highly of Scalise, emphasizing his strong reputation among Republicans and Democrats. Scott has expressed his belief that he can effectively lead with a slim majority over the next 18 months and secure a Republican majority in the November 2024 election.
Tom Emmer
If Steve Scalise decides not to pursue the position of House Speaker, another likely candidate waiting in the wings is House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, as indicated by the senior GOP aide.
Emmer’s support comes from Republicans in challenging electoral districts who are familiar with him from his previous role as the leader of the House GOP campaign arm during the previous election cycle.
Representative Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina, commented on Emmer’s earlier statement about not wanting to be Speaker, saying, “He didn’t before.” Norman also expressed surprise at the quick turn of events, particularly the vote to remove Kevin McCarthy, noting that many had expected a different outcome, with several members initially voting for McCarthy.
Kevin Hern
Another potential candidate in the mix for the speaker role is Rep. Kevin Hern, a Republican from Oklahoma. Hearn currently heads the 175-member Republican Study Committee. He is known to maintain good working relations with moderate and conservative members of the party.
According to a source, Hern has been mentioned as a serious contender for the position. When asked about his interest, Hern confirmed to US Newzs Digital that he had been approached by multiple members and expressed his willingness to consider the role.
During an appearance on Newsmax Tuesday night, Hern announced his intention to run for speaker. He stated, “I’ve been asked by a lot of people to run. We need someone who can unify the party, push through appropriations bills, and cut spending to address inflation… [Americans] want real results, and I believe that. If the people here choose to put me in that position. I can provide them.”
Jim Jordan
On Tuesday night, Jim Jordan, the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a Republican from Ohio, emerged as a favored candidate among GOP hardliners, including Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, who played a key role in Kevin McCarthy’s removal earlier in the week.
Gaetz expressed his support for Jordan on social media, stating, “My mentor Jim Jordan would be great!” This response came in reply to another conservative, Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky, who had called Jordan his “first choice if he wants to run.”
Jordan has been one of three committee chairs leading a prominent investigation into President Biden and his family. A source familiar with Jordan’s thinking told Fox News Digital on Tuesday night that he has been reaching out to colleagues to assess their interest in a potential run for Speaker of the House.