GOP members and staffers doubt that Jordan has a clear path to the speakership.
Republicans nominated Representative Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) to be House speaker in a closed-door vote on Friday, one day after the party’s previous nominee, Representative Steve Scalise (R., La.), abandoned his own bid to be speaker.
The House was thrust into uncertainty last week after eight House Republicans joined with Democrats to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the post.
Scalise, the House majority leader, dropped out of the running on Thursday evening due to lack of support. Jordan, meanwhile, successfully defeated Representative Austin Scott (R., Ga.) in a closed-door vote for the nomination on Friday.
However, GOP members and staffers are doubtful that Jordan has a clear path to the speakership. Despite Scott entering the race just moments before the vote and saying he did not want to be speaker, he secured support from 81 Republicans.
Scott is seen by many members as a spoiler candidate for those who don’t want Jordan to occupy the speaker’s chair.
“He’s just trying to block Jim,” Representative Tim Burchett told National Review earlier today of Scott ahead of the secret ballot vote.
But some Republicans believe many of the holdouts will come around.
“There’s dozens of detractors who have just cast an anonymous ballot,” Representative Mike Garcia (R., Calif.) told National Review of the members who cast ballots for Scott. “To do that in a roll call vote in conference is different. That number will come down. To do that on the floor is going to be significantly different.”
Representative Bob Good (R., Va.) expressed confidence in Jordan, telling National Review the Ohio Republican is a “very persuasive individual.”
“I think we’ll make progress with some of the folks who were not quite there yet,” he added. “Hopefully, we’ll get to the floor early in the week.”
The House is now expected to break for the weekend without selecting a new speaker, according to reports. Representative Patrick McHenry (R., N.C.) has been serving as speaker in a temporary capacity since McCarthy’s ouster last week.
Meanwhile, members and staffers tell National Review that should Jordan drop out, Representatives Mike Johnson and Jodey Arrington are expected to strongly consider jumping into the race.