WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The position of the top job in the U.S. House of Representatives is still vacant as hardline Republican Jim Jordan, unsuccessful in his third bid for the gavel, dropped out of the race.
Here are some lawmakers currently being considered for the speaker of the chamber, which has been without a leader since October 3:
IN: KEVIN HERN
Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus in Congress, announced his run for speaker minutes after Jordan’s withdrawal, but did not secure any votes.
IN: AUSTIN SCOTT
Representative Austin Scott, a Georgia lawmaker who has maintained a relatively low profile during his 12 years in Congress, announced his candidacy on Friday. He previously challenged Jordan for the nomination but did not receive any votes.
IN: PETE SESSIONS
Representative Pete Sessions, a Texas congressman since 1997 who chairs the House Rules Committee, officially declared his candidacy on Friday, emphasizing his experience in unifying the party.
IN: JACK BERGMAN
Representative Jack Bergman of Michigan, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general who has served in Congress since 2017, announced on Friday that he is throwing his hat into the ring.
IN: HAKEEM JEFFRIES
Although Democrats have unanimously voted for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries, they do not have enough votes to elect him as speaker, given their minority status in a chamber controlled by Republicans with a 221-212 majority.
POSSIBLE: TOM EMMER
Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the House’s No. 3 Republican and chief vote counter, received only one vote on Friday but garnered ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s endorsement. According to an insider, the former ice hockey coach is discussing a potential run with fellow members.
POSSIBLE: TOM COLE
Powerful Rules Committee chair Tom Cole, a representative from Oklahoma since 2003 and one of only five Native Americans in Congress, could secure support from Democrats if nominated, although he has consistently downplayed speculation about putting his name forward. After receiving one vote on Tuesday, he did not receive any votes on Friday.
POSSIBLE: BYRON DONALDS
Representative Byron Donalds, a Black Republican from Florida and member of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, received two votes from his party on Friday, several months after being nominated to challenge McCarthy for speaker in January.
POSSIBLE: JODEY ARRINGTON
Representative Jodey Arrington, a Texas Republican and chair of the House Budget Committee, stated that he will make a decision regarding his bid for the speaker’s job by Sunday, just ahead of the noon EST (1600 GMT) deadline for declarations.
OUT: STEVE SCALISE
Representative Steve Scalise from Louisiana, the No. 2 House Republican who was widely regarded as McCarthy’s successor, received eight votes on Friday, the second-highest number after Jordan. Scalise had been nominated for the speaker position last week but withdrew due to the failure to unify Republicans. Questions about his health, notably since being wounded during a baseball practice in 2017 and receiving treatment for multiple myeloma since August, have been raised.
OUT: JIM JORDAN
Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a key figure in the impeachment investigation of Democratic President Joe Biden, lost his third bid for the position after obtaining only 194 votes, significantly less than the required 214. Twenty-five Republicans voted against him. Following the vote, the Ohio lawmaker, who is close to former President Trump, urged the party to rally behind a new nominee and pledged his support for whoever is chosen.
