The race for Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States has taken an unexpected turn as Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio gains momentum. Despite facing initial opposition from within his own party, Jordan has managed to flip dozens of holdouts and is now closer to winning the speakership.[0] Last week, 55 Republicans stated that they would not support Jordan, but by this afternoon, that number had dwindled to only 20.[0] During the House vote, Jordan earned a total of 200 votes on the floor, still short of the 217 needed to win, but a significant improvement from last week.
Jordan's strategy is reminiscent of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who wore down his opposition through persistent lobbying and dealmaking.[0] McCarthy took 15 ballots to secure the speakership, but Jordan may not need that many.[0] Unlike the conservatives who overthrew McCarthy, the Republicans who voted against Jordan on the floor have shown a willingness to be persuaded or not stand in the way if he approaches the necessary threshold of 217 votes.[0]
While Jordan's bid for Speaker is gaining traction, it is not without controversy. He has been accused of being deeply involved in former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Jordan was part of discussions with Trump campaign and White House officials to explore ways in which Vice President Mike Pence could overturn the election results.[1] He also played a role in organizing congressional opposition to counting President Joe Biden's certified electoral votes. Critics argue that Jordan's efforts were not rooted in legitimate objections but rather in a desire to keep Trump in power against the will of the American people.[2]
Moreover, Jordan has been a prolific spreader of misinformation about the election.[1] He repeatedly claimed that the election was fraudulent and tied mail-in voting to fraud, despite no evidence to support these claims.[1] He called for congressional investigations into allegations of fraud and supported baseless investigations by Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani into voting equipment.[1]
Jordan's bid for the speakership is not the first time he has sought a leadership position. In November 2018, he ran for the position of minority leader after Republicans lost the House and then-Speaker Paul Ryan announced his retirement.[3] However, Jordan was unsuccessful in his bid, losing to Kevin McCarthy by a wide margin.[4]
Jordan's role in a sexual abuse scandal at Ohio State University has also come under scrutiny. Former wrestlers have accused Jordan of turning a blind eye to sexual abuse while he was an assistant wrestling coach at the university in the 1980s and 90s.[5] Jordan has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and no former wrestler has accused him of committing sexual abuse.[6]
Jordan's bid for Speaker has been met with mixed reactions within the Republican Party. Former Speaker John Boehner has been a vocal critic, describing Jordan as a “legislative terrorist.”[1] Boehner believes that Jordan was a source of contention and betrayal during his speakership.[3] However, Jordan has also gained support from conservatives who see him as a strong advocate for their agenda.
As the House remains in limbo without a Speaker, Republicans will reconvene to determine their next move.[0] The outcome of Jordan's bid for the speakership remains uncertain, but his ability to gain support and flip holdouts has undoubtedly put him in a stronger position. The race for Speaker of the House continues, and Jordan's journey to secure the position is far from over.
0. “Jim Jordan Doesn't Have the Votes—Yet” The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/10/jim-jordan-house-speaker-election-vote/675670/
1. “Election lies to Fox News fixture: key things to know about Jim Jordan” The Guardian US, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/17/jim-jordan-republican-speaker-election-denier-trump
2. “Will Jim Jordan Be Indicted by Jack Smith? What We Know” Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/jim-jordan-indictment-jack-smith-1834419
3. “Jim Jordan fails to get votes to become speaker on the first ballot” Vox.com, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.vox.com/politics/2023/10/17/23919090/jim-jordan-house-speaker-vote-trump-ally-january-6-wrestling-scandal
4. “Jim Jordan Loses Speaker Nomination Vote Following Republican Defections” Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/jim-jordan-loses-speaker-nomination-vote-following-republican-defections-1835475
5. “Everything we know: Jim Jordan and the Ohio State wrestling scandal” Business Insider, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-jim-jordan-ohio-state-wrestling-sex-abuse-scandal-2023-10
6. “Democrats craft strategy to make GOP pay if Jim Jordan is speaker” NBC News, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-craft-strategy-make-gop-pay-jim-jordan-speaker-rcna120720
