House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan Loses Second-Round Vote for Speaker’s Gavel, Future Uncertain

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has faced a setback in his bid to become the Speaker of the House. On Wednesday, he lost a second-round vote, raising doubts about his ability to secure the position. In this round, twenty-two Republicans voted against Jordan, following twenty who did so in the initial vote on Tuesday. Jordan needs to secure at least 217 votes, a majority threshold, to win the speaker’s gavel.

Several Republican representatives who had initially supported Jordan in the first round, including Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., Marianette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Pete Stauber, R-Minn., joined the growing opposition against him and voted for other candidates on Wednesday. However, Reps. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., and Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., who had previously held out, voted for Jordan in this second round.

When asked about his next move, Jordan said he would continue talking to members and engaging in conversations. Even before the vote, Jordan’s allies acknowledged the possibility of losing support in the second round but remained optimistic about his chances. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., remarked that Jordan’s fight represents a push to end the status quo and emphasized the importance of staying strong and keeping faith.

However, some Republicans have suggested that a second loss for Jordan could mean exploring other options. On the Democratic side, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries received the support of all present House Democrats.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., a supporter of Jordan, expressed that if the number of votes continues to increase, it signals progress and cohesion among Republicans. Conversely, if the number decreases, it would necessitate a reassessment of other potential options.

For now, it remains uncertain what the future holds for Jordan’s bid for the Speaker of the House. The next steps and potential candidates will likely be topics of discussion and deliberation among House members.

Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital who focuses on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and politics. She has previously contributed to the Daily Mail and CBS News. You can follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and reach out with tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com. Stay updated on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more Fox News politics content by subscribing to the newsletter.