Republicans Experience Threats and Tensions Amid GOP Speakership Bid

Several Republicans who opposed Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for House Speaker have been facing backlash, including angry calls, menacing messages, and even death threats. The already tense and chaotic atmosphere within the GOP has been heightened as they struggle to elect a new speaker.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa revealed that she has received credible death threats and a barrage of threatening calls after changing her speaker vote from Jordan to House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger. Rep. Nick LaLota from New York shared a message on social media in which someone told him to “go f**k yourself and die.”

Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas stated that his office has been flooded with calls, many containing profanity, but no real substantive threats. Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon’s wife also received menacing text messages urging her husband, who has been a vocal holdout against Jordan, to support the Ohio Republican. One text message obtained by CNN read, “Your husband will not hold any political office ever again. What a disappointment and failure he is.” Don Bacon’s wife responded, “He has more courage than you. You won’t put your name to your statements.”

Jim Jordan has faced opposition in his bid for House Speaker, with 22 GOP votes against him on Wednesday, far more than he could afford to lose given the party’s narrow majority in the House. This prolonged speaker fight, following Kevin McCarthy’s ouster earlier this month, has led to growing tensions and frustration among the House Republican conference.

In response to the death threats, Jordan condemned them, saying “it’s just wrong” and should never happen to anyone.

Some of the Republicans who voted against Jordan have criticized the pressure campaign against them and claimed that it has only strengthened their opposition. Conservative leaders and media figures have attacked these holdouts online and shared their office phone numbers, encouraging supporters to flood their offices with phone calls in support of Jordan. Rep. Womack criticized these tactics as an “attack, attack, attack” strategy employed by Jordan’s allies.

There have also been pro-Jordan robocalls targeting voters in Rep. Carlos Gimenez’s district, as well as other members’ districts. Gimenez confronted Jordan about this, but Jordan denied any involvement.

Opponents of Jordan’s bid have included centrist Republicans concerned about having a conservative hardliner as the face of the House GOP, as well as lawmakers still angry with the group of Republicans who forced out McCarthy and opposed House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s bid for speaker. Scalise initially defeated Jordan within the GOP conference but later dropped out of the race due to opposition to his candidacy.

When questioned about why he continues to stay in the race despite a lack of support, Jordan noted that McCarthy had more time to build support for his speakership bid. He emphasized the need to elect a new speaker as soon as possible.

The tensions and threats surrounding the GOP speakership bid highlight the deep divisions within the party and the challenges they face in unifying under new leadership.