Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a former collegiate wrestler and coach, has been known as a right-wing bomb thrower throughout his nearly two decades in the House of Representatives.
This made it curious when Jordan attempted to become Speaker of the House after eight breakaway Republicans joined the entire Democratic caucus to end the reign of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) in a historic vote.
Jordan could only lose three votes from Republicans on the first ballot. He lost 20. In the second round of voting, he lost 22 Republican votes.
Jordan tried again on Friday and suffered an even bigger loss, with 25 Republican Congresspeople refusing to vote for him.
That would all have appeared to end his chances, but Jordan refused to surrender. Instead, he proposed a secret ballot among his House colleagues to keep him as the party’s speaker nominee.
That went even worse for him than the three public votes. Sources told Axios that 86 voted in favor of Jordan while 112 voted against him.
The Republican race for Speaker is now considered “wide open” now that Jordan and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) have failed to obtain the Speaker’s gavel.
The lower legislative chamber remains paralyzed without a Speaker as President Joe Biden seeks an expedited aide package for Ukraine and Israel for the ongoing conflicts in their respective countries.
The world was quick to react to the humbling news for Congressman Jordan:
Man if you lose the secret “who want me” ballot you gotta pack it up and leave congress entirely https://t.co/OjmsKiHEuv
— Ty McEachern (@mceachern_ty) October 20, 2023
I was truly worried about the prospect of Jim Jordan becoming Speaker. It would have been a disaster for the country. Fortunately, the GOP couldn't hit water if it fell out of a boat, so that possibility appears to have passed. https://t.co/W8znTRjBkQ
— Mike Rothschild (no relation) (@rothschildmd) October 20, 2023
A couple of days back, I criticized the GOP caucus for being weak and allowing Jim Jordan and his Maga wing of the party to roll over them.
I was wrong, and I'm happy to be wrong.
Good for the GOP establishment and moderates, about time they stood up for themselves. https://t.co/JbGIsNra2I
— Ric Pundit (@Ferric242) October 20, 2023
moderate House republicans to Jim Jordan: https://t.co/PlHZjLURQl pic.twitter.com/mpw0uZ6MZB
— Bebo, Chicago Rat Czar 🐀 (@BebopOtt) October 20, 2023
It continues. https://t.co/B3NkoMIFa3 pic.twitter.com/xXZTnQwfoZ
— John Hicks (@JohnHicks00) October 20, 2023
[Axios]
