Republican Defectors Opposing McCarthy Gather Support Around Another Candidate

The 19 Republican defectors that continue to block Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA), bid for House Speaker galvanized support for a new candidate during the second round voting Tuesday afternoon.

McCarthy won 203 votes in the first round. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, received 212 votes. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-AZ, received 10 votes. Rep. Jim Jordan (R–OH) received six votes. Rep. Jim Banks, R-IN, received one voter. Ex-Rep. Lee Zeldin (R.NY) received 1 vote. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-FL, received one voter.

The Republicans who blocked McCarthy’s bid included Reps. Dan Bishop (NC), Lauren Boebert (CO), Josh Brecheen (OK), Mike Cloud (TX), Andrew Clyde (GA), Eli Crane (AZ), Matt Gaetz (FL), Bob Good (VA), Paul Gosar (AZ), Andy Harris (MD), Anna Paulina Luna (FL), Mary Miller (IL), Ralph Norman (SC), Andy Ogles (TN), Scott Perry (PA), Matt Rosendale (MT), Chip Roy (TX), Keith Self (TX), and Andy Biggs (AZ).

The vote then moved to a second round where the same 19 Republicans continued to block McCarthy’s bid — except this time, they all voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus.

Jordan however continued to support McCarthy and stated on the House Floor during the second round voting: “I think Kevin McCarthy is the right guy to lead us.”

“We came in the same time 16 years ago and we haven’t always agreed on everything,” Jordan stated. “But I liked his fight. I like his tenacity.”