The race for House speaker among Republicans continues to be a contentious and unpredictable affair. The latest candidate to throw his hat in the ring is Tom Emmer, the highest-ranking Republican in the speaker race.[0] Emmer, who has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2015, is currently serving his fifth term in the House.[1] He is endorsed by former House speaker Representative Kevin McCarthy and is the No. 3 Republican in the House, responsible for counting votes and passing the speaker's agenda.[2]
Emmer won the nomination to be speaker in a secret ballot vote, defeating Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson by a vote of 117-97.[3] However, his pathway to securing the 217 votes needed for election on the House floor seems virtually impossible, as 26 members have already stated they will vote against him.[0] Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, with 221 members, and Emmer would need nearly unanimous support from his party, assuming all Democrats vote for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries.
Emmer's candidacy has not been without controversy.[4] He has faced antagonism from former President Donald Trump's orbit, despite being a vocal supporter of Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections. Trump's allies have accused Emmer of not endorsing Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and of encouraging GOP candidates to distance themselves from Trump during the 2022 election. Emmer has denied these allegations and maintains that he has been a “fantastic ally” for Republicans.[5] However, the rift with Trump's orbit has caused some Republicans to question Emmer's conservative credentials.[6]
Emmer's allies have been attempting to counter the anti-Trump narrative by highlighting his support for Trump's presidential bids in 2016 and 2020. They argue that Emmer's voting record, including his opposition to impeaching Trump in 2019 and 2021, demonstrates his loyalty to the former president.[6] Despite these efforts, Emmer has ultimately dropped out of the race for speaker, just hours after securing the nomination.[7] Trump and numerous Republican lawmakers expressed opposition to his candidacy, leading to his decision to withdraw.[3]
With Emmer out of the race, Mike Johnson of Louisiana has emerged as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.[8] Johnson, the vice chairman of the House Republican conference, previously lost to Emmer in the nomination vote.[9] However, he now has the support of many conservative lawmakers and is expected to receive a full vote in the House. If Johnson fails to secure enough votes, Republicans will once again be back to the drawing board in their search for a speaker.[9]
The race for House speaker among Republicans has been marked by division and internal strife. The inability to find a consensus candidate has left the House without a speaker since the removal of Kevin McCarthy three weeks ago.[10] McCarthy was ousted after eight right-wing Republicans voted against him for agreeing to a compromise with the White House on a temporary funding bill.[11] The lack of a speaker has created uncertainty and could potentially lead to a government shutdown if not resolved by the November 17 deadline.[10]
Overall, the Republican race for House speaker has been tumultuous and unpredictable. The withdrawal of Tom Emmer and the emergence of Mike Johnson as the frontrunner signal a new phase in the search for a consensus candidate.[12] As Republicans regroup and prepare for a full vote in the House, the fate of the speakership remains uncertain. The outcome will not only determine the leadership of the House but also have significant implications for the Republican Party and its ability to unite and govern effectively.
0. “Tom Emmer withdraws US House speaker bid hours after nomination” The Guardian US, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/24/tom-emmer-withdraws-bid-house-speaker
1. “What to know about Tom Emmer, former House speaker nominee” Axios, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/10/23/tom-emmer-house-speaker-republican-candidate
2. “What to know about Tom Emmer, the latest House speaker nominee” The Boston Globe, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/24/nation/tom-emmer-house-speaker-nominee/
3. “Tom Emmer drops out of contention for House speaker, hours after winning GOP nomination” CNBC, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/24/house-gop-speaker-vote.html
4. “Who is GOP Speaker nominee Tom Emmer” The Hill, 24 Oct. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4268188-tom-emmer-potential-speaker-candidate/
5. “Who Is Tom Emmer? Here’s What To Know About The New GOP Speaker Nominee Endorsed By McCarthy But Criticized By Trump Allies.” Forbes, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/10/24/who-is-tom-emmer-heres-what-to-know-about-the-house-speaker-frontrunner-endorsed-by-mccarthy-but-criticized-by-trump-allies/
6. “Minnesota U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer drops out of House speaker race” Star Tribune, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-u-s-rep-tom-emmer-wins-gop-nomination-for-house-speaker/600314411/
7. “Who are the Republicans running for House speaker? Here are the candidates” CBS News, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/9-republican-candidates-running-for-house-speaker
8. “Republicans End Tom Emmer's Bid for Speaker Hours After Voting for Him” Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-end-tom-emmers-bid-speaker-hours-after-voting-him-1837574
9. “Republicans pick Mike Johnson as latest House Speaker nominee” BBC.com, 25 Oct. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67213205
10. “Will US Republicans finally elect a House speaker nominee?” Al Jazeera English, 24 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/24/will-us-republicans-finally-elect-a-house-speaker-nominee
11. “House Republican speaker mess: latest updates after Tom Emmer quits.” Slate, 24 Oct. 2023, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/10/house-republican-speaker-updates-tom-emmer-quits.html
12. “Fleischmann eliminated from speaker race in first evening ballot” Roll Call , 25 Oct. 2023, https://rollcall.com/2023/10/24/gop-tries-again-to-unite-behind-speaker-nominee/
