Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), the House majority whip, was among the first to make clear his intention to run for speaker in the latest round.
Emmer has been in Congress since 2015 and has served as whip since the beginning of this Congress. Before that, he chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee — the Republicans’ House campaign arm — for four years. He is the highest-ranking Republican among the list of official candidates and is a member of the conservative Republican Study Committee.
Emmer, 62, has already received the support of former speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Speaking to “Meet the Press” on Sunday, McCarthy said Emmer is “head and shoulders above all those others who want to run.”
“We need to get him elected this week and move on,” McCarthy said.
And, as The Washington Post previously
reported, some members of the group who plotted to oust McCarthy have also floated the idea of nominating Emmer for the job.
In a
statement shared Saturday, Emmer — who supported both Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Steve Scalise (R-La.) in their failed efforts to become speaker — announced his intention to seek the gavel. He highlighted his work as chairman of the NRCC and the connections he has formed with Republican members as majority whip.
“If given the opportunity to be your Speaker, we will use that same culture of teamwork, communication, and respect to build on the movements that brought us success, learn from our mistakes, and keep fighting for each and every one of you and our Republican majority,” he said.
But right-wing outlets and allies of former president
Donald Trump are urging Republicans not to elect Emmer, who voted to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election for
Joe Biden.
