Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern announced on Saturday that he will not be entering the race for the next House speaker.
Although he had been considering the possibility after being suggested as a viable candidate by several members, Hern has decided to step back and allow two of his colleagues, Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, to have the opportunity to earn the necessary votes.
In a letter to his colleagues, Hern emphasized the need for unity within the Republican Party. He expressed concern that a three-man race for speaker would only prolong the process and create further division, making it harder for any candidate to secure the required 217 votes.
Hern highlighted the leadership qualities of Scalise and Jordan, both former chairmen of the Republican Study Committee, and urged his colleagues to support them.
Hern stressed the importance of commitment and collaboration within the party. He called on House Republicans to stay in the room, turn off their phones, and work together until a candidate emerges who can garner the support of 217 Republican votes. Hern emphasized the need for unity and readiness to tackle the work they were elected to do.
With Hern's decision, the race for speaker now consists of two formally-declared candidates: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Louisiana and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan from Ohio. House Republicans will be meeting privately on Monday evening, followed by a conference-wide candidate forum on Tuesday. An inter-party vote on the speaker is expected on Wednesday, with a House-wide vote to follow.
The Republican Party is at a critical juncture as it seeks to select its next House speaker. The decision will have far-reaching implications for the party's agenda and its ability to effectively govern.
As House Republicans gather behind closed doors, the stakes are high, and the outcome of this leadership race will shape the future of the party.
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