Jim Jordan to run for House speaker following McCarthy's removal

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan on Wednesday said he will run to be House speaker, making him the first Republican to announce his intentions to run for the position following Rep. Kevin McCarthy's removal on Tuesday.

Jordan is urging his Republican colleagues to support his bid for speaker, according to a letter from Jordan obtained by Just the News.

"We are at a critical crossroad in our nation's history," Jordan wrote. "The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable."

Jordan also said he had spoken with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), the No. 2 Republican, who is reportedly considering running for speaker after McCarthy said he would not enter the race again, according to CNN.

Jordan, who was elected in 2006 and founded the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has already received an outpouring of GOP support, including from Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, who led the push to oust McCarthy.

"My mentor Jim Jordan would be great!" Gaetz wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

GOP Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Mike Carey of Ohio also endorsed Jordan for speaker.

Jordan serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and has worked closely with House Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., in the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden.

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