Jim Jordan speakership bid collapses, other lawmakers jump into the race

Rep. Jim Jordan's (R-Ohio) speakership bid collapsed on Friday as he failed to clinch the win in the third round of balloting this week and then reportedly came up short in a secret Republican ballot regarding whether he should remain the House GOP's speaker nominee.

Jordan, who earned 200 votes in the initial round of voting this week, slipped to 199 on the second round, and then fell to just 194 votes in Friday's House vote. Democrats have been voting for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

The list of Republicans who voted against Jordan on Friday included:

• Don Bacon of Nebraska
• Vern Buchanan of Florida
• Ken Buck of Colorado
• Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon
• Anthony D'Esposito of New York
• Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
• Jake Ellzey of Texas
• Drew Ferguson of Georgia
• Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
• Andrew Garbarino of New York
• Carlos Gimenez of Florida
• Tony Gonzales of Texas
• Kay Granger of Texas
• John James of Michigan
• Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey
• Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania
• Jen Kiggans of Virginia
• Nick LaLota of New York
• Mike Lawler of New York
• Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa
• Marc Molinaro of New York
• John Rutherford of Florida
• Mike Simpson of Idaho
• Pete Stauber of Minnesota
• Steve Womack of Arkansas

Seven of the eight House Republicans who voted with Democrats in favor of ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakership earlier this month signed onto a letter saying that they would be willing to accept punishment in exchange for House Republicans rallying to elect Jordan as speaker.

The letter states, "If the holdouts who refuse to vote for Speaker-Designate Jordan would be willing to 'vote with the team' and elect him the 56th House Speaker, we are prepared to accept censure, suspension, or removal from the Conference to accomplish this objective."

But reports indicate that the House GOP held a secret ballot regarding whether Jordan should remain the GOP's speaker nominee, voting 112-86 against Jordan.

GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky tweeted, "Jim Jordan gave it his all. He was the best Speaker candidate to reform Congress's spending addiction that's been bankrupting our country. But sadly today the GOP conference met privately and ended his candidacy by a vote of 112 to 86. I would have voted 1000 rounds for Jim."

Republican Reps. Jack Bergman of Michigan, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, and Austin Scott of Georgia, and Pete Sessions of Texas have announced speakership bids.

GOP Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida is running for the role, The Hill reported, citing a spokesperson.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) told members of the House Republican conference that he will pursue the speakership nomination, Jake Sherman of Punchbowl news reported.

Correction: The original version of this story stated that all eight of the House Republicans who voted in favor of ousting McCarthy from the speakership earlier this month had signed a letter saying that they would be willing to accept punishment in exchange for House Republicans rallying to elect Jordan as speaker. But according to NBC News, a spokesperson for Buck said the lawmaker "had not agreed to sign this letter and his name has since been removed. His position remains unchanged.” The article has been corrected to reflect that just seven lawmakers signed the letter.

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