More than 100 conservative leaders have signed a letter Monday calling on Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to run for Speaker of the House.
"There must be a real race for Speaker of the House," the letter reads. "Now. No backroom deals. A real race, starting this spring, to make every incumbent and candidate commit on the record, as a campaign issue, whether they'll vote to save the swamp or drain it."
Although some conservatives touted the name of the Freedom Caucus founder immediately after Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., announced last month he would not run for re-election, the letter takes on more urgency now that The Weekly Standard reported top Republicans are considering a plan to force Ryan out during the summer in order to clear the way for his presumed successor, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to take over.
This is something the conservatives are trying to prevent, as it would give McCarthy an even bigger advantage over Jordan.
The Hill reported Jordan's chances of becoming Speaker are slim because there are too many rank-and-file Republicans who hold a grudge against him for forcing out then-Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Ohio Republican.
But Philip Wegmann points out in the Washington Examiner this is exactly why those supporting the Freedom Caucus are pressing for Jordan, because they know after ousting Boehner, they helped to hamstring McCarthy and know they can do it again.
In any case, even if they do not completely succeed, "the Freedom Caucus could use the fight to install some of their members in lower leadership positions."
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