Rep. Matt Gaetz is relentlessly lobbying Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan to consider running for House speaker, calling him a “star player” in the Republican conference.
Mr. Gaetz said he and Mr. Jordan speak frequently, and he would seek to persuade him to run against House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California, whom Mr. Gaetz accused of putting forth unhelpful and unserious ideas.
Though Mr. Jordan has already endorsed Mr. McCarthy and has been firm about not running for the top job, Mr. Gaetz pointed to recent history as evidence that anything is possible.
Mr. Gaetz told reporters that then-Rep. Paul Ryan didn’t want to be speaker until Mr. McCarthy “imploded last time.” The Florida Republican added, “I’ve been told I’m very persuasive.”
The draft-Jordan campaign stems from opposition to Mr. McCarthy from within the House Freedom Caucus, a group of about 30 of the more conservative members of the House GOP. Resistance to Mr. McCarthy grew as the anticipated red wave for the midterm elections never arrived. This gives the Freedom Caucus more leverage despite accounting for about 10% of House Republicans.
Mr. McCarthy had already brought Mr. Jordan into his leadership circle by giving him the top slot on the House Judiciary Committee, positioning him to chair the committee in a GOP-run House.
SEE ALSO: Kevin McCarthy’s run for House speaker is headed for a challenge from his right flank
Mr. Jordan has long been floated by conservative commentators as an alternative to Mr. McCarthy. Those close to Mr. Jordan, however, insist the Ohio Republican has no interest in the gig.
“Mr. Jordan wants to be chairman of the Judiciary Committee,” a Jordan spokesperson told The Washington Times.
Most GOP lawmakers are expected to back Mr. McCarthy, and a viable alternative has yet to emerge.
“I hadn’t even heard of anybody running against him. Even Jim Jordan supports him, so I don’t see how McCarthy doesn’t win the speaker’s race next week,” said Rep. Greg Steube, Florida Republican.
Mr. Jordan briefly ran for speaker in 2018, promising a more conservative vision for the party.
He is one of the founders of the Freedom Caucus and helped force out former House Speaker John Boehner in 2015.
• Mica Soellner can be reached at msoellner@washingtontimes.com.
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