The Race for House Speaker: Unveiling Promising Contenders to Succeed McCarthy
Following Kevin McCarthy's unprecedented removal as House speaker, potential successors have emerged, including Jim Jordan, Tom Emmer, Kevin Hern, and Steve Scalise
After Kevin McCarthy's remarkable removal as House speaker, several individuals have emerged as potential candidates to assume the leadership position.
In light of McCarthy's announcement on Tuesday evening that he will not be seeking the speakership, the competition for the role has already begun.
No viable alternative to McCarthy has emerged with the necessary support to secure victory. Any potential speakers will have to secure 218 votes, or the majority of lawmakers present and voting.
Several individuals, previously suggested as candidates in January to oppose McCarthy's appointment as speaker when the GOP gained control of the House, are now being discussed as possible contenders. Although McCarthy was ultimately successful in that battle, Tuesday's removal creates an opportunity to reconsider potential candidates.
Heres a look at his potential replacements:
Jim Jordan
Rep. Jim Jordan speaks during an on-camera interview near the House Chambers during a series of votes in the Capitol Building on January 9, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/FILE
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio on Wednesday became the first Republican to publicly say hell run to be the next House speaker, aiming to replace McCarthy.
When asked if he will be running for speaker, Jordan responded affirmatively and mentioned that he had recently spoken to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the second highest-ranking Republican, who is also expected to run for the position. Jordan's statement comes after he previously indicated on Tuesday that the decision to run for speaker would be made collectively by the conference, during an interview with CNN.
Some conservative Republicans have encouraged Jordan to run, with a GOP lawmaker previously expressing openness to the idea. Jordan, who was nominated by conservative hardliners in January during the GOP's battle for the speakership, holds the powerful position of chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Once a vocal critic of party leadership, known for his highly partisan language during investigations into the Benghazi attacks and President Trump's impeachments, Jordan has since become a key ally to McCarthy. Earlier this year, he sought to establish himself as a serious committee chairman. In that capacity, he has used his position on the Judiciary Committee to investigate Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for their indictments of Trump, as well as to scrutinize the Justice Department's investigation into Hunter Biden.
Tom Emmer
Jordan, one of the original members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, showed his support for legal actions aimed at nullifying the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, he cast his vote against the certification of the Electoral College results.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer speaks during a news conference after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the Capitol on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has emerged as a prominent candidate for the position of new speaker among GOP lawmakers who are hastily deliberating their choices. Several members have even proposed that the Minnesota Republican could be a strong contender for the role.
Emmer, however, expressed his support for Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise during Tuesday night's GOP meeting. Upon leaving, Emmer stated to reporters, "Steve Scalise has been a close friend for a significant amount of time. He would make an excellent speaker." When asked if he would nominate Scalise for the position, Emmer replied, "I believe I made my stance clear."
Having been elected to Congress in 2014, Emmer recently assumed the position of majority whip. Prior to this, he served as a state representative in Minnesota from 2004 to 2008. Emmer currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
Kevin Hern
Rep. Kevin Hern leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP/FILE
Oklahoma Republican Representative Kevin Hern revealed to CNN on Wednesday that he is contemplating a bid for a leadership position. He indicated that he is open to the idea of running for Speaker or even for Majority Leader. When questioned about a potential Speaker run, Hern responded, "I am currently engaging in my usual activities. I have engaged in numerous discussions regarding leadership. Therefore, I plan on reaching out to the Texas delegation to gather further insights."
Hern chairs the Republican Study Committee, a conservative group. In recent weeks, members of the House Freedom Caucus, who are known for their staunch conservative views, have discussed the possibility of nominating Hern for the position of speaker. In the January election for speaker, which was deadlocked, Hern received a couple of protest votes against McCarthy during the eighth round of voting.
Hern's House biography states that he took office in 2018, having previously held multiple leadership roles at McDonald's. Additionally, he had a career as an aerospace engineer. Hern currently serves as a member of the House Ways and Means committee and holds co-chair positions in both the Small Business and Franchise caucuses.
Steve Scalise
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Rep. Steve Scalise listens during a news conference in the US Capitol Building on June 14, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise, currently serving as House majority leader, is reportedly considering a run for House speaker. According to a source familiar with the matter, Scalise has already begun reaching out to fellow members in order to gauge support for his potential bid.
The No. 2 House Republican refused the demands of hardliners to contest McCarthy for the speakership in January. However, it was widely anticipated that he would step in if McCarthy withdrew. "Regardless of who becomes the next speaker, the obstacles persist. Nevertheless, I believe there is an opportunity to make progress and we established a precedent last week on how to unite and accomplish appropriations bills," he stated on Tuesday.
Scalise has faced significant health challenges in recent years. In August, he publicly shared his diagnosis of multiple myeloma and began receiving chemotherapy. Additionally, he sustained serious injuries during the 2017 congressional baseball practice shooting in Alexandria, Virginia. When asked about his readiness for the job on Tuesday, Scalise expressed feeling great.
Originally elected to Congress in May 2008, Scalise previously worked as a computer systems engineer. He represents a predominantly conservative district encompassing the majority of New Orleans suburbs. Controversy arose in 2014 when he delivered a speech to a White supremacist organization established by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke in 2002. Scalise later issued an apology, acknowledging the mistake and expressing regret.
Additional information has been included in this updated version of the story.
Contributors to this report include Veronica Stracqualursi, Haley Talbot, Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer, Sara Murray, Alayna Treene, Zachary Cohen, Kristin Wilson, and Manu Raju from CNN.
