We called it.
Earlier this week, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announced that he will be retiring at the end of this term. That means a new Republican leader will need to be chosen in the House. Depending on how the fall elections go, that leader will either be Speaker of the House or minority leader.
Immediately after Ryan’s announcement, we published a speculation piece on who was most likely to take over after Ryan’s rule. The smart money says current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. If not Rep. McCarthy, then House Majority Whip Steve Scalise would have the best chance of running and winning.
We also listed a few dark horse candidates. One of those is Rep. Jim Jordan, the former chairman of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. Turns out, Jordan is seriously considering a run.
The Washington Post reports:
Rep. Jim Jordan, a prominent and polarizing conservative leader, said Friday he is strongly considering a run for House speaker in a bid that could upend the race to succeed Paul D. Ryan.
“There is no speaker’s race right now. Paul Ryan is the speaker,” said Jordan (R-Ohio). “If and when there is, I’ve been urged by colleagues to consider that and I am definitely open to that. Right now though the focus has got to be on the next six months, us keeping the majority.”
Jordan, 54, is a former champion college wrestler who co-founded the House Freedom Caucus, a hard-line faction of about three dozen conservative lawmakers that could play a kingmaker role in any leadership race to come. Its members have been highly critical of the GOP leadership, especially after last month’s vote to pass a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill.
Rep. Jim Jordan, Freedom Caucus co-founder, is exploring run for House speaker https://t.co/EdsqzlGQoM
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 13, 2018
This could have huge implications for the Speaker race. Jordan is well liked among fiscal hawks and outside conservative groups. And he’s more ideologically aligned to President Trump than either Rep. McCarthy or Rep. Scalise.
If Jordan jumps in, he could have a shot.
What do you think? Should Jim Jordan run for House Speaker? Tell us your thoughts below!
