House Republicans are starting the speaker race from scratch after ousting Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan from the running.
Jordan won the speaker race among his Republican colleagues in July, but support for him quickly evaporated over language he used criticizing Nancy Pelosi’s approach to the coronavirus crisis and an ill-advised CROWN Act amendment.
Many House Republicans, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, disagreed with Jordan’s tactics and saw this as the perfect opportunity to select a new leader.
McCarthy immediately threw his hat in the ring, and other potential candidates, such as California Rep. Devin Nunes and Oklahoma Rep. Steve Scalise, have followed suit.
At this point, the race for the next speaker is wide open and, with Jordan out of the picture, the leadership competition will be fierce. Republicans will ultimately be looking for a leader that can unify the party, appeal to constituencies outside of the usual base, and effectively communicate to the public in a time of crisis.
