The man who could ultimately end up replacing ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), did not appear happy about the course of events that played out on Tuesday.
Speaking to CNN after McCarthy became the first speaker in U.S. history to be removed when U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) filed a “motion to vacate” and 8 Republicans joined with Democrats to secure his fate, Jordan insisted the now-former speaker “didn’t deserve this.”
“I thought it was unfair to Kevin — Kevin, I think, has done a fine job and he and I came in together. He’s a good man, um, and he didn’t deserve this, in my judgment,” he said.
Jordan did not reject the possibility of running for speaker when asked, “That’s a decision for the conference.”
Jordan: “I thought it was unfair to Kevin. Kevin, I think, has done a fine job and he and I came in together. He’s a good man, um, and he didn’t deserve this, in my judgment.” pic.twitter.com/swUkKCuLOc
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) October 4, 2023
Politico cited two Republicans with direct knowledge to report that Jordan “is having conversations with House GOP allies as he seriously entertains a bid for speaker.”
“Jordan, who once challenged McCarthy for the speakership before becoming his biggest defender among conservative hardliners, has grown in popularity with the conference in recent years, but some centrists and rank-and-file members may be cool to the idea of his ascension given his role in helping force out former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio),” the outlet reported.
Prior to Tuesday’s vote, Jordan took to the House floor to advocate in favor of McCarthy remaining in position.
“I think the Speaker has kept his word. I know my colleagues and friends are saying different,” he said. “I think he has kept his word on those three things we talked about on January 3rd and that entire week. He has kept his word. I think we should keep him as Speaker.”
Rep. @Jim_Jordan: “We said the 118th Congress is about three things:
1. Pass the bills that need passed
2. Do the oversight work that needs to be done
3. Stop the omnibus that comes from the united States senate right before the holidays pic.twitter.com/hJy7ZKvazS— Media Research Center (@theMRC) October 3, 2023
A defiant McCarthy said in a wide-ranging news conference Tuesday night that he will not run for speaker again
“I don’t regret standing up for choosing governing over grievance. It is my responsibility. It is my job. I do not regret negotiating. Our government is designed to find compromise,” he said.
Interestingly, Gaetz responded with enthusiasm to a tweet from U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) saying Jordan would be his choice for the next speaker of the House:
My mentor Jim Jordan would be great! https://t.co/hS3RPgDoN1
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 4, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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