Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, known for his roaring archconservative ideology and his fearless approach to taking on liberals, was once considered a pioneer of the new right-wing faction that now represents the face of the Republican Party. He was former President Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. House of Representatives. However, his bid to become the leader of the lower chamber came to an end on Friday after encountering strong opposition from moderates and lawmakers in key districts.
Despite the challenges, all five California Republicans from districts President Biden won in 2020, including Young Kim of La Habra, David Valadao of Hanford, Mike Garcia of Santa Clarita, Michelle Steel of Seal Beach, and John Duarte of Modesto, steadfastly supported Jordan throughout his three unsuccessful attempts to secure the gavel. However, their decision to stand behind Jordan may have negative consequences. Democratic strategist and pollster Cornell Belcher warned that Jordan’s close ties to former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election may not sit well with swing voters in these California districts.
The House Republicans have been struggling to select a leader ever since eight Republicans joined Democrats on October 3 to remove Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield from the speaker’s chair. McCarthy’s removal caused chaos within the lower chamber, as Republicans have been unable to secure a majority to elect a speaker who can initiate floor votes on critical legislation. This includes bills addressing the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine and preventing a government shutdown by mid-November.
Recent polling suggests that voters are frustrated with the ongoing chaos. According to a poll conducted by Global Strategy Group and released by Democratic firm Navigator Research, 49% of surveyed GOP respondents disapprove of congressional Republicans’ job performance. Furthermore, 69% of all voters expressed their disapproval. Additionally, Republicans are becoming more willing to blame their own party for the turmoil in Washington. On September 11, 32% of Republicans said they would blame their own party the most in case of a government shutdown. By October 16, that number had risen to 36%.
Sarah Longwell, an anti-Trump Republican strategist, believes that the fact that Jordan received up to 200 votes reflects the identity crisis within the GOP. She stated, “The fact that Jim Jordan has gotten up to 200 votes is a reflection: He and Trump represent the GOP… It’s not right, it’s not left. It’s just Trump.”
The congressional races for Duarte and Garcia in California are considered toss-ups, according to the Cook Political Report. Valadao and Steel’s races are rated as lean Republican, while Kim’s is likely Republican.
Representatives Garcia, Steel, and Duarte did not respond to requests for comment. Kim suggested empowering North Carolina Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, who is currently serving as speaker pro tempore, to pass critical legislation until a leader is elected. Valadao expressed support for Jordan, stating that the party needs to get back to work and that he would support a plan to empower McHenry.
Despite their pragmatic explanations, California Republicans have faced criticism from anti-Trump groups. Congressional Integrity Report, a Democrat-aligned nonprofit, released ads attacking the Republicans for endorsing Jordan. The ads highlighted Jordan’s ties to the right-wing of his party, his denial of the 2020 election results, and his involvement in former President Trump’s attempts to overturn the election.
Despite the criticism, there is still hope for these California Republicans if they can effectively communicate their reasons for supporting Jordan. Longtime Republican pollster Whit Ayers believes that if they can demonstrate that their endorsement was for practical reasons, voters may be able to overlook their support for Jordan. However, it remains crucial for these representatives to carefully craft their messaging to resonate with their constituents.
While the ongoing internal struggle among House Republicans is seen as a gift to Democrats by Belcher, others argue that most voters are not closely following the situation. Ayers suggests that the average voter is not aware of the complexities and intricacies within the GOP.
Overall, the race to select a new leader has left the lower chamber in disarray, and California Republicans may face repercussions for their support of Jim Jordan. With the possibility of attack ads featuring Jordan’s controversial association with Trump, these representatives will need to strategize their messaging to maintain their positions in Washington.
This article was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
