Six of the eight Republican candidates for House speaker voted to decertify the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021, shortly after the assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Voted to Certify 2020 Presidential Election Results
Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the majority whip and the highest-ranking Republican running for speaker, stands out as one of the two candidates who voted to certify the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6. Despite acknowledging the widespread distrust in the election results, Emmer condemned the rioting and referred to the Constitution, specifically Article 2 and the 12th Amendment, stating that Congress lacks the authority to discard electors certified by state legislatures. He also secured the endorsement of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was recently ousted from the speakership.
Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia, drawing attention as a protest candidate against Jordan in the House GOP conference, joined Emmer in voting to certify the 2020 election. Scott characterized the rioting at the Capitol and criticism of the Capitol Police as “disgraceful.” He commended Vice President Pence for rejecting the overturning of states’ electoral votes and joined a letter signed by congressional leaders emphasizing that Congress does not possess the authority to nullify state elector votes, their sole responsibility being to count the votes submitted by states. Serving since 2010, Scott represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District, near Macon.
Voted against Certifying 2020 Election Results
Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan, a retired Marine lieutenant general, took a stand against certifying the Electoral College results on Jan. 6. Additionally, he joined as a signator to an amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn the presidential election outcomes in Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan – all states that Trump lost.
Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, currently serving his second term in Congress, also voted against certifying the election. During his initial primary campaign, he described himself as a “Trump-supporting, liberty-loving, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment Black man.” Despite facing stiff competition, Donalds managed to secure victory, winning by a margin of just over 770 votes. He also cast a vote against raising the debt ceiling earlier this year.
Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, who chairs the conservative Republican Study Committee, announced his candidacy on Friday.
Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, elected to Congress in 2016 and an attorney by profession, previously worked as a radio host.
Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama, presently serving as the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, has been a member of the House since 2015. Palmer endorsed Jordan as the speaker nominee and formerly served as the president of a conservative think tank in Alabama.
Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas, renowned for chairing the House Rules Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee, announced his candidacy on Friday. With 24 years of congressional experience, Sessions possesses significant political acumen.
For more details on the candidates vying for the speaker position, click here.
Scott MacFarlane, Aliza Chasan
