House Speaker Race Still Undecided as Republicans Prepare to Vote

October 11, 2023

The race to replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House remains undecided, as Republicans prepare to vote on a new leader in the coming days. The two main candidates are Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise.

Jordan is a fierce Trump loyalist and founder member of the Freedom Caucus. He is seen as a frontrunner in the race, but he is also a controversial figure. He has been accused of turning a blind eye to allegations of sexual abuse made against a doctor who was part of the Ohio State University wrestling team’s backroom staff when Jordan was an assistant wrestling coach. He has also been criticized for his role in the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Scalise is the current House Majority Leader. He is seen by many as the ideal unifying candidate. He has a strong track record in leadership and is respected by both the moderate and conservative wings of the Republican Party. However, he has also been criticized for his ties to the fossil fuel industry and his past association with white nationalist groups.

It is unclear who will win the speakership race. Jordan has the support of the far-right, while Scalise has the support of the establishment Republicans. It is possible that a third candidate could emerge as a compromise candidate, but it is also possible that the race will go to multiple rounds of voting.

The outcome of the speakership race will have a major impact on the direction of the Republican Party and the future of the Biden administration. If Jordan wins, it will signal a shift to the far-right for the Republican Party. If Scalise wins, it will suggest that the Republican Party is trying to unite and move on from the Trump era.

Latest developments:

• On Tuesday, October 10, the two candidates made their case to Republican lawmakers in a closed-door meeting. Jordan outlined his plans for reducing government spending and cracking down on illegal immigration. Scalise emphasized his experience as House Majority Leader and his commitment to uniting the Republican Party.
• A vote on the new speaker is expected to take place on Wednesday, October 12. However, it is possible that the vote could be delayed if neither candidate is able to secure the 218 votes needed to win.
• Democrats have already announced that they will vote for Hakeem Jeffries of New York to be speaker. However, Democrats do not have the votes to win the speakership, as they currently hold only 212 seats in the House.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.