Staff Reports
The race for House speaker has turned into a crazy showdown with nine candidates all fighting for the position. This comes after Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) had his nomination pulled due to opposition from establishment and centrist Republicans. But fear not, the candidates will have a chance to make their case at a candidate forum on Monday.
Out of the nine candidates, only a few are actually seen as serious contenders. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who has the backing of ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, is considered the front-runner. But don’t count out Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), head of the Republican Study Committee, who is expected to make it past the first round of voting.
The selection process is not going to be quick and easy. After each round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated. It could take several rounds before a clear winner emerges.
Speaker vote: House starts at square one three weeks after McCarthy removal https://t.co/S4gumMVFTW
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) October 23, 2023
Meanwhile, tensions within the Republican Party are running high. Factions are accusing each other of sabotage and grudge-holding, making it even more difficult to find a consensus candidate. And with Democrats united behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the eventual Republican nominee will face an uphill battle to secure the necessary votes on the floor.
But let’s not forget the chaos that could ensue if no speaker is elected. We could end up with an interim speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry, but Democrats have been content to let Republicans navigate their own dysfunction.
In the end, the party needs to elect a speaker by the end of the week to avoid further delays and ensure the government is funded. Otherwise, we may see a centrist like Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) step in to try and take charge. It’s a high-stakes game of political musical chairs, and the Republicans need to find a seat before the music stops.
