Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) has now declared his candidacy for speaker, challenging Jim Jordan (R-OH), chair of the House Judiciary.
The late-stage statement from Scott, a seventh-term lawmaker who wasn’t widely expected to run for speaker, appears to be a protest against Jordan as House GOP lawmakers prepare to hold a candidate forum for the speaker position on Friday afternoon.
Scott told the media this morning that he has “no intention” of seeking the Speaker’s position.
A number of lawmakers, including Scott, have vowed to vehemently oppose Jordan.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and another House Republican claim that at Thursday night’s closed-door conference meeting, Scott stood up and declared his opposition to Jordan.
There was nothing Jordan could do to win the support of Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, he told reporters on Friday morning.
Rogers had declared his intention to support McCarthy before Scott’s declaration.
Following Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La. ), who Republicans narrowly nominated to be Speaker on Wednesday, abruptly withdrawing from the race Thursday evening as it became evident he would not receive the support from Republicans needed to prevail on the House floor, Friday’s candidate forum is held.
At least two representatives, Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Scott, informed the media on Thursday night that they would not back Jordan.
According to a source, the Jordan called and met with holdouts on Friday morning.
Jordan had expressed confidence in his chances of taking the gavel after the morning conference meeting, but before Scott formally entered the contest.
[READ MORE: Steve Scalise Drops out of Race for Speaker of the House]
