Rep. Jack Bergman 'prepared to step up' to serve as House speaker if Jordan can't get the votes, comms director says

As the House of Representatives remains in a state of limbo without a speaker while Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio) bid flounders, Rep. Jack Bergman (R) of Michigan is ready to step up to the plate if Jordan cannot cobble together enough support to win the gavel, Bergman's communications director, James Hogge, noted.

"General Bergman proudly supported Rep. Jim Jordan fully. Following the second round of voting, the General was approached by colleagues and has had conversations about as possible Speaker run — it's becoming clear Rep. Jordan's path is narrowing by the hour," Hogge wrote, according to a screenshot posted by Punchbowl News cofounder John Bresnahan.

"We cannot go another day without a Speaker. He simply doesn't have the votes — we need to have a frank discussion as a conference about a path forward. If as a conference we see he can't get the necessary votes to become Speaker, General Bergman is prepared to step up," Hogge continued. "The General isn't seeking to climb the ladder, only steady it in a time of chaos — and would only seek to be Speaker for the remainder of the 118th Congress."

In two votes so far, Jordan has failed to earn enough support to clinch the speakership. In a vote on Tuesday, he received 200 votes, but he lost ground on Wednesday when just 199 supported him. Bergman voted for Jordan in both rounds of balloting.

Back in January, it took Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) 15 rounds before he finally won the speakership. But McCarthy was ousted from the role earlier this month.

Former U.S. Rep. Allen West, a Republican who represented a district in Florida from early 2011 until early 2013, is backing Bergman for speaker, saying that the congressman has his "unconditional support and endorsement."

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