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GOP’s Hunt For House Speaker Continues As Little-Known Candidates Come Forward

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 30: Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) shakes hands with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The self-labeled "parental rights" summit is bringing school board hopefuls from across the country where attendees will receive training and hear from Republican presidential candidates which include former U.S. President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. The summit, which is being held in an overwhelmingly Democratic Philadelphia, has drawn protestors since the event was announced due to their pushing of book bans accusing schools of ideological overreach, including teaching about race, gender, and sexuality. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

This week, House Republicans will make their third effort to resolve the impasse regarding the speaker position, which remains vacant.

The process to select a candidate for the position went back to square one last week when Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was the GOP’s nominee, failed to secure enough votes despite trying three times, eventually losing his party’s nomination.

The lawmakers are now looking for a nominee who will be able to generate sufficient backing in order to secure victory during a House floor vote.

A conference reset was initiated because most members voted to remove Jordan as their nominee. He failed to secure the speakership in three consecutive ballots, losing support with each subsequent vote.

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Earlier, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) had withdrawn from the race due to a lack of backing from Jordan’s supporters.

A group of nine little-known Republican lawmakers are all competing for the position of speaker, which is second in the line of succession to the presidency.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota), who is the most senior candidate and currently serves as the GOP whip, is so far the leading candidate.

Seeking the nomination alongside Emmer are Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma), a former owner of McDonald’s franchises, who currently leads the conservative Republican Study Committee, which is the biggest group of conservative House members.

The other notable candidates are Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida), a newly elected representative who supports former President Donald Trump; Rep. Austin Scott (R-Georgia), who briefly mounted a challenge against Jordan in protest; and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), a former member of leadership.

Other candidates include Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Michigan), Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania) and Gary Palmer (R-Alabama).

Although none of the candidates are favored to win a majority outright, they are all making their case to the rest of the party in hopes of gaining support.

The House Republicans have been meeting in private to hear from the candidates, a routine that has been established since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) was removed from the position.

There will be party elections on Tuesday, but with nine candidates running, it may take more than one round to choose a nominee before the full House vote later this week.

Many Republican lawmakers are eager to end the internal conflict and are calling for candidates to sign a pledge to support whoever is selected as per the party’s rules.

Maria Fox