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Two More House Republicans Throw Support Behind Jordan Speakership

Nine House Republicans Have Declined To Support Jordan For Speaker Of The House

Published: October 16, 2023
  |   By Christopher Bertman

Georgia Representative Drew Ferguson and Florida Representative Vern Buchanan announced they will support Ohio Representative Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House.

Both representatives previously declined to support Jordan, but announced they had reversed their decision in Monday posts to X.

“I’ll be voting for Jim Jordan on the House floor tomorrow,” Ferguson wrote.

“Just received a call from Jim Jordan and had a very productive conversation,” Buchanan wrote. “I informed him that I will be offering my support on the House floor.”

Buchanan said Jordan has been a “good friend” though expressed frustration with House Republican infighting after Florida Representative Matt Gaetz spearheaded the effort to remove California Representative Kevin McCarthy as Speaker two weeks ago.

“I am deeply frustrated by the way this process has played out,” Buchanan added.

“I believe the future and immediate well-being and security of our country is too important and the need for Republicans to move forward united is greater than ever,” he added.

As of Monday afternoon, nine House Republicans have indicated they will not support Jordan for Speaker.

Members opposing a Jordan Speakership include Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, Florida Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart, John Rutherford, and Carlos Giminez, Oklahoma Reps. Tom Cole and Frank Lucas, Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman, and Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack.

“I’m a no on allowing Matt Gaetz and the other seven to win by putting their individual in as Speaker,” Rutherford told reporters, adding he still supported McCarthy for the office.

Womack reportedly said House Republicans would have to “work across the aisle” with House Democrats to select a new Speaker, per CNN.

Gaetz responded to Womack’s suggestion in a Monday X post.

“I personally like Steve Womack very much,” Gaetz wrote. “He has helped me on many matters during my time in Congress, and I will always appreciate that.”

“He is an institutionalist who loves the House,” Gaetz added.

“I pray he reconsiders depriving Jim Jordan the Speakership in a play to empower Democrats,” Gaetz concluded.

Other House Republicans who have reversed course and endorsed Jordan for Speaker include Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner and Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers.

“Jim Jordan and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days,” Rogers wrote to X. “We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill.”

“As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor,” he added.

Wagner, who originally said she would “absolutely not” support Jordan, also shared a statement to X.

“Let me be clear, I am not, and will not, work with Democrats as our Republican Conference comes together to elect a conservative Speaker of the House,” Wagner wrote. “Too much is at stake to hand control of the House over to radical liberal Democrats, which is why we must elect a conservative as the next Speaker.”

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have always been a team player and supported our Republican nominees out of Conference,” he added.

A vote for Speaker of the House is expected sometime tomorrow.

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