House Speaker Election: Rep. Jim Jordan Fails to Secure Victory on First Vote

In a significant development within the U.S. House of Representatives, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, fell short of the necessary votes to be elected as the next Speaker of the House during the initial ballot. This outcome was widely anticipated, and it is expected that Jordan will request further rounds of voting to secure his position.

The initial vote count revealed that 20 Republicans voted against Jordan, with a final tally of 200 votes in favor and 232 against his candidacy. Notably, some members opted to support previous candidates for the Speaker position, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. It became evident within the first ten minutes of the vote that Jordan lacked the broad support required for a first-round victory. To secure the Speaker's gavel, he will need to persuade nearly every Republican member to back him.

Mixed Reactions and House Dynamics

Members of the House were summoned to the chamber for this lengthy and occasionally contentious vote. The room was packed, and members occasionally expressed their support or opposition through cheers and jeers. Those still supporting Scalise and McCarthy offered lukewarm applause, but the most enthusiastic GOP applause was reserved for Scalise and McCarthy when they endorsed the party's current nominee.

Certain members, however, remained steadfast in their objections to Jordan's candidacy. This group included those who questioned Jordan's past record, those concerned that he could alienate voters in crucial swing districts, and those who remained dissatisfied with McCarthy's initial removal from the Speaker position. A substantial number of objections originated from members on the Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, who held reservations about Jordan's willingness to address essential governance tasks, such as funding the government and military expenditure requests.

Behind-the-Scenes Developments and Pressure on Republicans

In the lead-up to the vote, Jordan and his supporters undertook a comprehensive campaign to win over fellow Republicans. Their efforts were aimed at convincing skeptics that Jordan could transition from his history as a confrontational outsider to a leader capable of uniting the fractured party, especially in an election year of significant consequence. Despite increasing pressure on members to select a leader and move forward, many left a closed-door meeting the night before the vote unconvinced that Jordan was the right choice to lead their party.

Jordan, it is believed, can only afford to lose a small number of Republican votes to secure the Speaker's position. Jordan's aides expect that he will not secure enough votes in the initial ballot, leading to a second vote. Additional rounds of voting may be necessary, but Jordan's supporters hope that a public vote will ultimately compel members to align behind him. It is worth noting that former President Trump endorsed Jordan, and this speakership vote is perceived by many as a public loyalty test for the Republican party.

Holdouts Remain Unconvinced

Some Republican members, including Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, expressed their intention to vote for McCarthy, citing concerns about a small minority dictating the actions of the majority. Bacon, who represents a district won by President Biden in 2020, voiced reservations about fellow Republicans not adhering to established rules and highlighted the importance of choosing a Speaker amid pressing national challenges.

Additionally, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado declared his non-support for Jordan on the House floor, expressing concerns about Jordan's role in promoting conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 presidential election.

This development in the House Speaker election underscores the complexities and divisions within the Republican Party and highlights the challenges faced in selecting a unifying leader.

References-https://www.npr.org/2023/10/17/1206422464/house-speaker-vote-news