House Republicans convened for a second closed-door candidate forum on Tuesday evening as lawmakers continue to search for a speaker candidate who can secure the majority votes needed to secure the position.

Five candidates declared their candidacy to run for speaker, including Reps. Byron Donalds (FL), Chuck Fleischmann (TN), Mark Green (TN), Mike Johnson (LA), and Roger Williams (TX). Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) also declared a bid but dropped out an hour later to endorse Johnson.

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"This race has gotten to a point where it's kind of gotten crazy," Hern said shortly after dropping his bid. "It is more about people right now than it should be. This should be about America and America's greatness."

The forum comes after Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) won the party nomination on Tuesday morning but later announced he would withdraw himself from the race after roughly 25 Republicans came out in opposition to his bid earlier in the day, making it clear the speaker-designate would not be able to secure the 217 votes needed to secure the speaker’s gavel. His decision makes him the third speaker-designate to drop out of the race, sending Republicans back to the drawing board as they scramble to appoint a new leader.

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Republicans are expected to vote on their new candidate around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, after which the time frame is unclear for when the party will return to the floor. However, members are not expected to return to the floor Tuesday night, according to a whip notice sent to members.