Civil rights attorney Leo Terrell has declared his support for Rep. Jim Jordan’s (R-OH) renewed bid for speaker of the House.
In a statement on Twitter/X, Terrell warned that House Republicans opposing Jordan for the job are “covert Trump-haters.”
House Republicans against @Jim_Jordan for Speaker are covert #TrumpHaters! #Trump2024TheOnlyChoice
— LeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) October 13, 2023
Terrell issued the statement after Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, reentered the race for the speakership on Friday.
Jordan had dropped out after Republicans voted for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) as their nominee.
However, Scalise dropped out of the race after it became clear he didn’t have the votes to secure the speakership in a full vote.
After renewing his bid, Jordan was the only declared candidate for leader of the House.
Later on Friday, however, Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) also threw his hat into the ring.
“I have filed to be Speaker of the House,” Scott said on X.
“We are in Washington to legislate, and I want to lead a House that functions in the best interest of the American people.”
I have filed to be Speaker of the House. We are in Washington to legislate, and I want to lead a House that functions in the best interest of the American people.
— Rep. Austin Scott (@AustinScottGA08) October 13, 2023
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who led the charge to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), announced the next vote will be between Jordan and Scott.
Gaetz said he is backing Jordan.
Next ballot is
Jim Jordan v Austin Scott
I’m voting for JORDAN
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 13, 2023
Jordan has been a popular choice for the job and has received backing from several high-profile Republicans and President Donald Trump.
Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) announced his support for Jordan, saying on X:
“It is an honor to continue to support @Jim_Jordan for Speaker.
“Principled, Fighter, Conservative, Leader.”
It is an honor to continue to support @Jim_Jordan for Speaker.
Principled, Fighter, Conservative, Leader. 🇺🇸
— Congressman Ben Cline (@RepBenCline) October 13, 2023
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) said he would support Jordan’s bid for Speaker, although he has some doubts the Ohio congressman can get enough votes to become Speaker.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), said about Jordan:
“We should give him an opportunity.
“Let’s give him a chance and see if he can get 217.”
It’s Jim Jordan Time!
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 13, 2023
Despite Jordan’s strong backing from among conservatives, one source told Punchbowl News that some moderate Republicans have doubts about Jordan.
After House Republicans failed to coalesce around Scalise, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), the former RSC chairman, said he will continue to back Jordan’s bid for speaker.
“I voted for Jim Jordan in the conference election yesterday and I remain committed to doing everything I can to help elect him the next Speaker of the House,” Banks said in a written statement Thursday night.
“He is a conservative fighter and a leader who can unite our party.
“Republicans have a lot of work to do and if Jim Jordan is in the speaker’s chair we will get it done.”
Chairman of the House Democrat Caucus Pete Aguilar (D-CA) also spoke Wednesday about the speaker candidates.
Aguilar describes Scalise as someone Democrats can talk to.
However, Aguilar claims that Jordan “is dangerous for our democracy.”
Regular Slay News readers will undoubtedly decode Aguilar’s comments to reveal who the best man for the job is.
