Who is running for House speaker? These are the Republicans aiming for the top job after Jordan's exit
WASHINGTON – After House Republicans voted to drop Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, as their speaker nominee, a mad dash for the top job has started within the deeply divided House Republican conference.
After voting to abandon Jordan as their nominee by a vote of 112-86, GOP lawmakers headed home for the weekend to recuperate after a chaotic series of events on Capitol Hill. In the meantime, some Republicans immediately declared their candidacy.
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. on Sunday confirmed that nine Republicans will make their pitch to serve as leader in the lower chamber.
House Republicans will hear from prospective speakers when they return to Washington for a candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
The earliest the House could elect a new speaker is Tuesday.
Here's what you need to know about who is running for speaker.
Tom Emmer
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., began making calls to run for speaker after Jordan's exit from the race, according to a source familiar.
As whip, Emmer is the No. 3 ranking House Republican. Ousted former speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endorsed the Minnesota Republican for the speakership in a huge boost for Emmer's candidacy. McCarthy still commands the respect of the vast majority of the House Republican conference.
"He is the right person for the job. He can unite the conference. He understands the dynamics of the conference. He also understands what it takes to win and keep a majority," McCarthy said to Punchbowl News.
Kevin Hern
Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., was one of the first candidates who jumped into the speaker's race, immediately announcing his candidacy to reporters after House Republicans dropped Jordan as their nominee.
"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," Hern said in a statement.
The Oklahoma Republican is chair of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of around 170 GOP lawmakers making it the largest group of House Republicans.
Earlier this month, Hern made calls to every single House Republican to gauge support for an earlier run but ultimately decided against it, declining to run against previous speaker nominees Jordan and House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.
Austin Scott
Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., was a little-known lawmaker until earlier this month when he launched a surprise challenge to Jordan's speakership bid as a protest candidate against the conservative firebrand.
Scott ran against Jordan in an internal vote within the House Republican conference to select a nominee. Scott lost the nomination by a vote of 124-81. The Georgia Republican rallied behind Jordan after his loss but Jordan's exit, Scott immediately jumped back in the race.
"There's a lot of people that appreciated what we did," Scott told USA TODAY about his first speaker campaign.
Byron Donalds
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, is running for speaker, according to a spokesperson from his office.
Donalds has played a large role in key negotiations between moderate and ultraconservative GOP lawmakers. During Jordan's failed speaker elections, some GOP holdouts voted for Donalds as a protest candidate.
Jack Bergman
As it slowly became clear Jordan could not earn the support he needed in his quest for the speakership before he was dropped as the nominee, Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., considered issuing a challenge to the Ohio Republican but did not follow through.
With Jordan out however, Bergman immediately jumped in the race announcing his candidacy.
"My hat is in the ring, and I feel confident I can win the votes where others could not. I have no special interests to serve; I’m only in this to do what's best for our Nation and to steady the ship for the 118th Congress," Bergman said in a statement.
Mike Johnson
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., vice chair of the House Republican conference, is also seeking the speakership.
The Louisiana Republican on Saturday released a letter confirming his bid and saying any leader must work to restore trust in Congress, work to grow a Republican majority and more.
"It is my greatest honor to serve with all of you in this decisive time, and I would be humbled to earn your support and, and by God's grace, lead our historic cause as your Speaker," he wrote, signing off the letter to his colleagues "for freedom."
Pete Sessions
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, also launched a bid for speaker immediately following Jordan's exit.
"Congressman Sessions believes he can forge a positive path as a conservative leader who can unite the Conference," Sessions' office said in a statement.
Dan Meuser
Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., also entered the race by Sunday's deadline for Republican candidates, Stefanik confirmed.
Before his official bid, Meuser shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, "Should I decide to run for Speaker, my message will be focused on politics of inclusion."
"Every Member of the Republican Conference needs to be a part of policy making, legislation, and communications. That feeling of ownership builds a team culture, which is needed as we move our party forward," he added.
Gary Palmer
Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., currently serves as the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, which makes him the No. 5 Republican in the House.
He also formally entered the speakership race by Sunday's deadline for lawmakers, according to Stefanik.
Palmer previously supported Jordan to serve as speaker, but in the wake of McCarthy's ouster, he also immediately called on Republicans as a whole to come together. At the time, he shared in a post on X "We have a job to do for the American people, and they deserve a unified majority focused on what's best for the nation."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here are the Republicans running for House speaker: What to know
