Rep. Jim Jordan nominated for Speakership by GOP

Jim Jordan will need 217 votes to become Speaker of the House. Republicans and Democrats alike aren’t confident he can do it

Following the removal of Kevin McCarthy, and the swift retreat from Steve Scalise, Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, was nominated by the GOP to secure the House Speakership.

Both Democrats and Republicans view Jim Jordan’s bid as a long shot. More than 50 Republicans voted against supporting him on the House floor, leaving the party still in disarray as it has been unable to elect a speaker in the 10 days since the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy.

Jordan defeated Representative Austin Scott of Georgia, a mainstream conservative and an ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, by a vote of 124 to 81 after he made a surprise last minute bid for the nomination.

According to CNN,

Jordan gained only 25 supporters compared to Wednesday’s vote when Scalise defeated Jordan, 113-99.

Jordan then called a second vote … to see if that could shrink his opposition. That vote, which was cast by secret ballot, was 152-55 – laying bare the long road ahead for Jordan’s speakership bid to succeed.

Jordan sent the conference home for the weekend following Friday’s party votes, and lawmakers said he planned to use the time to speak with his opponents and try to win them over.

They should resume voting this coming week.