House Majority Leader Steve Scalise Running For Speaker

 House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) announced he will run for Speaker of the House, setting up a potential battle between him and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH).

Fox News first reported Wednesday morning that Scalise will throw his name in the ring to replace ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Tuesday evening, the House voted 216-210 to remove McCarthy as speaker, a role he held since January. Eight Republicans joined with Democrats to vote against McCarthy, citing frustrations with his leadership: Matt Gaetz (FL), Andy Biggs (AZ), Ken Buck (CO), Eli Crane (AZ), Bob Good (VA), Matt Rosendale (MT), Tim Burchett (TN), and Nancy Mace (SC).

Scalise was one of the names floated by Gaetz as a possible replacement for McCarthy.

Now, House majority whip Tom Emmer (MN) has endorsed Scalise for the Speaker’s role. Emmer will run for House Majority Leader, and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA) will vie Majority Whip.

A spokesman for Jordan confirmed his plan to run for speaker to The Daily Wire on Wednesday. In a quote reported by the Washington Examiner, Jordan said after coming out of the speaker’s office, “I’ve had a lot of people reach out to us, asking me to do it, because I think we can. We’ll see if that happens, but I think I can.”

Other Republican lawmakers have suggested ormer President Donald J. Trump should take the job. The GOP presidential frontrunner addressed those calls Wednesday before heading into his third day of trial:

 

Since the speaker does not have to be an elected official, some sources have told the press they’d like to see former Congressman and 2022 New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin fill the slot. 

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) became temporary speaker as lawmakers hash out who will run for the gavel. A simple majority will be needed to secure victory.