House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) will run for Speaker of the House, setting up a potential battle between him and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH), according to a new report.
Fox News first reported Wednesday morning that Scalise will throw his name in the ring to replace ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Tuesday evening, the House voted 216-210 to remove McCarthy as speaker, a role he held since January. Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to vote against McCarthy, citing frustrations with his leadership: Matt Gaetz (FL), Andy Biggs (AZ), Ken Buck (CO), Eli Crane (AZ), Bob Good (VA), Matt Rosendale (MT), Tim Burchett (TN), and Nancy Mace (SC).
Scalise was one of the names floated by Gaetz as a possible replacement for McCarthy.
A spokesman for Jordan confirmed his plan to run for speaker to The Daily Wire on Wednesday. In a quote reported by the Washington Examiner, Jordan said after coming out of the speaker’s office, “I’ve had a lot of people reach out to us, asking me to do it, because I think we can. We’ll see if that happens, but I think I can.”
Other names floated around according to numerous reports include current House Republican Whip Tom Emmer (MN) and even former President Donald J. Trump. The GOP presidential frontrunner addressed those calls Wednesday before heading into his third day of trial:
JUST IN: Donald Trump confirms from the New York courthouse that he has been asked about becoming the House Speaker, says he would do it.
That would be epic ????
“All I can say is we'll do whatever's best for the country and for the Republican Party.”
“A lot of people have asked… pic.twitter.com/fx3AKlhS17
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 4, 2023
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Since the speaker does not have to be an elected official, some sources have told the press they’d like to see former Congressman and 2022 New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin fill the slot.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) became temporary speaker as lawmakers hash out who will run for the gavel. A simple majority will be needed to secure victory.
Daniel Chaitin contributed to this story.
This is a developing story; please check back for updates.