(The Center Square) — While the House of Representatives waits to cast votes on Republican nominee Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for speaker, Virginia’s Republican representatives appear to be uniting behind him.
Republicans nominated Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, over Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., and House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., after ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as Speaker of the House two weeks ago.
Virginia Rep. Bob Good was one of eight Republicans who voted with House Democrats to remove McCarthy. Outspoken in his opposition to McCarthy, Good also opposed Scalise for speaker, alluding to him as another “status quo” politician.
“I cannot vote for the status quo when there is the real possibility for change,” Good said in a statement.
Good has been vocal in supporting Jordan, however, as the “grassroots conservative who can unite [the Republican Party] and fight against the radical Democrat agenda.”
Scalise was nominated on Oct. 12, with an internal conference vote of 113-99 from House Republicans. Good was one of the 14 Republicans who voted against him, while Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., endorsed Scalise.
“Pleased to see the Republican Conference nominate my friend Steve Scalise for Speaker of the House… I urge my colleagues to come together in support of Steve so we can return to doing the work of the American people,” Wittman posted on social media upon Scalise’s nomination.
But Scalise dropped out a day later, believing he didn’t have enough support to unite his party as speaker.
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., like Good, has publicly backed the Trump-endorsed Jordan, though he was not among those who voted against Scalise initially.
“Members are coming on board because they recognize not only that [Jordan] is popular among the grassroots, but that he has a command of the issues that are confronting the American people – the inflation challenges that we’re facing, the energy challenges, the criminal challenges, the chaos in Israel, the chaos in Ukraine,” Cline said in an interview with Newsmax.
After Scalise withdrew from the race for speaker, Scott threw his hat in the ring but was defeated by Jordan 124-81. Republicans then held an anonymous internal conference poll in response to the question, “Will you vote for Jordan on the floor?”
Jordan won 152-55, vowing to meet individually with every one of his opposers.
Wittman announced on Monday evening that he is now in Jordan’s corner, saying the two had “shared priorities.”
“I just had a productive conversation with @Jim_Jordan… We both agree on the need to pass a strong NDAA, fund our government, support our troops, and secure our border. Jim has my support for Speaker,” Wittman posted on X.
Virginia Reps. Jen Kiggans and Morgan Griffith have been quiet about potential candidates and Jordan.
Jordan must win 217 votes on Tuesday to become the new speaker.
