Washington – In the wake of Kevin McCarthy’s abrupt removal as speaker of the US House of Representatives by members of his own Republican party, two prominent conservative figures, Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio, have swiftly risen as frontrunners in the race to succeed him.
Scalise currently holds the position of House majority leader, while Jordan chairs the influential judiciary committee. Both individuals are known for their unyielding conservative stances, which may pose challenges in gaining support from more moderate factions within the party. Observers have taken note of the fact that McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be removed by his own party, largely due to opposition from the far-right segment of the Republican caucus.
During a recent appearance on Fox News with host Sean Hannity, Jordan refrained from confirming his interest in pursuing the role of speaker. He emphasized the need for the Republican conference to make a collective decision, stating, “We’ve got to come to a decision as a conference. I’m going to leave that to the conference. Of course, I’ve talked to colleagues, or colleagues have come to me and talked to me about that. But this is a decision for the conference.”
Nevertheless, various reports and sources indicate that both Scalise and Jordan have been actively exploring their prospects and seeking support within the party.
According to Punchbowl News, a congressional news outlet, Scalise’s long-standing position as a party leader could give him an advantage in consolidating support within a fractious caucus.
Tom Emmer of Minnesota, one of the names suggested by Matt Gaetz, a leader of the effort to remove McCarthy, has already thrown his support behind Scalise.
However, the assessment also identified potential vulnerabilities in Scalise’s candidacy, including his staunchly conservative views, which have occasionally led to associations with controversial figures, such as former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. Scalise, aged 57, also faces health challenges, using a cane to walk after surviving a shooting during a congressional baseball practice in 2017 and undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, an aggressive form of cancer.
Punchbowl News noted, “The guy has been through the wringer, physically and mentally. Does Scalise have what it takes to be speaker? Can he be on the road 100-plus days per year, away from his wife and children, doing the political travel required of modern speakers? His allies say yes, and Scalise says he’s fine. But there’s a definite hesitancy that we sense from some in Scalise’s orbit.”
While other names have been floated by reporters, such as Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, who chairs the Republican study committee, Jordan stands out as a prominent figure on the party’s right wing. He has been actively involved in efforts to impeach President Joe Biden, focusing on allegations related to the business activities of Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and claims of presidential corruption.
Notably, these efforts faced challenges last week when Republican witnesses provided testimony that undercut their own case during a hearing.
In addition to these dynamics, Jordan had to address a surprising proposal discussed by some Republican congressmen and even Sean Hannity: the possibility of electing former President Donald Trump as speaker. This unconventional idea, however, faces significant political and procedural hurdles, including House Republican rules that disqualify individuals facing indictments carrying sentences of two years or more from holding leadership positions.
Responding to Hannity’s claim of knowing that Trump had been approached about this idea, Jordan stated, “I don’t know. It’d be great, but I actually want Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States. If he wants to be speaker, great. I want him to be president.”
Olivia Troye, a former adviser to Mike Pence who has become a critic of Trump, commented, “Let’s be honest. It was always going to end up with the far right pushing Trump or Jim Jordan as the next speaker of the House. This decision was made by many across the GOP when they compromised their integrity in the aftermath of January 6. We’re still living the ongoing nightmare.”
Moderate Republicans from swing districts within the House Republican caucus expressed concerns about McCarthy’s removal and the contentious speaker race that lies ahead. David Valadao, a California Republican who joined the small group of 10 members who voted to impeach Trump following the Capitol attack, lamented the turmoil within the party, describing it as “a sideshow that is sad to watch” and depicting a party that seems to be “basically just tearing [itself] apart.”
The race for the next House speaker promises to be a closely watched and divisive contest, with the outcome having significant implications for the Republican party’s future direction and unity.
