Multiple Republicans Defect From Jim Jordan in Second Round Speaker Vote

• October 18, 2023

Multiple Republican members of Congress who yesterday voted for Congressman Jim Jordan to become speaker of the House of Representatives chose to vote for other candidates on Wednesday.

Twenty-two Republicans voted for candidates other than Jordan, meaning that the Ohio Republican does not have the votes necessary to become speaker. Four Republicans withdrew their support from Jordan: Vern Buchanan of Florida, Drew Ferguson of Georgia, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, and Pete Stauber of Minnesota.

In total, 212 Democrats voted for Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem, 199 Republicans voted for Jordan, seven voted for Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and five voted for former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.

At least two Republicans flipped in Jordan's favor on Wednesday: Doug LaMalfa of California, who voted for McCarthy on Tuesday, and Victoria Spartz of Indiana, who voted for Thomas Massie of Kentucky on Tuesday. Gus Bilirakis of Florida had been absent Tuesday but voted for Jordan Wednesday.

Multiple Republicans Defect From Jim Jordan in Second Round Speaker Vote — U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan talks to Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Patrick McHenry as the House of Representatives prepares to hold a vote on a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on October 18, 2023. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

A third speaker vote is expected.

Jordan had failed Tuesday to garner support from enough Republicans during the first round of voting. 20 Republicans voted for a candidate other than Jordan on Tuesday, while Jordan received 200 votes, Jeffries received 212 votes, and McCarthy received six votes.

Ahead of the first vote, Jordan had seen a flurry of support from House conservatives who had formerly said they would not back him: Mike Rogers of Alabama, Ann Wagner of Missouri, Ken Calvert of California, and Buchanan all announced support for Jordan this week.

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Mary Margaret Olohan | Senior Reporter

Mary Margaret Olohan is a senior reporter for The Daily Signal and the author of “Detrans: True Stories of Escaping the Gender Ideology Cult.” She previously reported for both The Daily Caller and The Daily Wire. Send her an email.

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