With the retirement of Congressional leader Paul Ryan, nine GOP candidates are vying to become the next House Speaker and lead the Republican Party in the upcoming 116th Congress. Here’s a look at who is up for election.
The frontrunner for the position is current House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy has served in leadership since 2013 and is considered to be close to President Donald Trump, an advantage as the President’s backing could prove to be influential.
Another contender is Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. Representative Jordan is the founding Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, an influential conservative faction of the Republican Party, and one of the President’s strongest and vocal supporters in the Congress.
Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise is another favorite for the position. Scalise has served in the House since 2008 and has the support of both conservative and more moderate members. As the current House Majority Whip, he is a key leader of the GOP’s legislative agenda.
A fourth potential Speaker is New York Representative Elise Stefanik. Stefanik is the youngest of all the candidates and has a growing support amongst the party’s newest members. She is also the only female running for the position.
Texas Representative Mark Meadows is another popular choice. Meadows was elected in 2012 and is the current Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. He is viewed as a strong voice for conservative ideals in the Republican Party.
The remaining four candidates include Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal, Texas Representative Louie Gohmert, Oklahoma Representative Tom Cole, and Arizona Representative Andy Biggs. While they have varying levels of support, each of these contenders brings something unique to the table. Whether it be their deep roots in the party, extensive knowledge of policy, or their commitment to small government ideals, these four candidates have the potential to make a significant contribution to leadership.
The Republican Party is looking forward to the 2020 election and the new faces of leadership that could bring it. With nine candidates for the position of Speaker of the House, the race is sure to be an entertaining one. We’ll all be watching to see who the new Speaker will be.
