In the recent Speaker election, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) fell short of securing the position, with a notable faction of his own party choosing alternative candidates.
Despite being the Republican front-runner, Jordan couldn’t clinch the necessary majority in the initial voting phase on the House floor. A group of 20 Republicans diverged, casting their support elsewhere and creating a deficit in the votes Jordan needed to secure the Speakership.
The vote distribution was as follows: Jordan received 200 nods; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the Democratic contender, garnered 212; seven were in favor of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.); six backed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); and a scattering of seven votes went to various other nominees.
The Republicans who opted for candidates other than Jordan were:
- Don Bacon (R-Neb.) – Supported McCarthy.
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) – Opted for McCarthy.
- Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) – Chose former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.).
- Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) – Voted for Scalise.
- Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) – Preferred Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.).
- Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) – Selected Zeldin.
- Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) – Cast his vote for McCarthy.
- Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) – Went with Scalise.
- Kay Granger (R-Texas) – Supported Scalise.
- Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) – Voted for Scalise.
- Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) – Chose McCarthy.
- Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) – Opted for Zeldin.
- Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) – Backed McCarthy.
- John Rutherford (R-Fla.) – Voted for Scalise.
- Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) – Supported Scalise.
- Steve Womack (R-Ark.) – Cast his vote for Scalise.
- Ken Buck (R-Colo.) – Preferred Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
- John James (R-Mich.) – Chose Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.).
- Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) – Went with McCarthy.
- Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) – Supported Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
This division within the Republican ranks highlighted a significant deviation from party solidarity, impacting the outcome of the Speaker’s election.
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