Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio on Wednesday became the first Republican to publicly say he’ll run to be the next House speaker, aiming to replace Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted Tuesday. Jordan replied “yes,” when asked if he is running for speaker and said he had just talked to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the No. 2 Republican, who he is likely to face.
The House is essentially paralyzed while it lacks a speaker, following McCarthy’s historic ousting and subsequent announcement that he will not run to reclaim the gavel. House Republicans are slated to hear from speaker candidates at a forum next Tuesday, setting up the next possible House-wide speaker vote next Wednesday, October 11.
Jordan and Scalise are on a growing list of possible McCarthy successors, which also includes Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, who chairs a conservative group known as the Republican Study Committee, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.
Matt Gaetz says the first vote for a speaker will be next Tuesday or Wednesday.
