WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — After rumors circulated on Friday, Rep. Tom Emmer posted on social media Saturday morning that he was officially running for the open Speaker of the House position, following two failed bids by his House Republican colleagues, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.
NBC News political analyst Jake Sherman reported that Emmer told members of the House Republican Conference that he'd seek the nomination, which comes after Jordan failed to secure enough votes for the third time Friday morning. In a statement Friday afternoon, a source familiar with the situation confirmed the 6th District Republican representative was "making calls for speaker."
Emmer's decision follows weeks of tumult in the House of Representatives, which moved to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Oct. 3. With McCarthy's exit and the body's inability to unite over appointing a new leader, the position has been vacant since.
Amy Koch, the former Minnesota GOP Senate Leader who served with Emmer in the state legislature, said Emmer will have solid odds to win the speaker bid.
"He's moved up in leadership because his caucus trusts him," Koch said. "I think he appeals to both those that are moderate, as well as sort of the MAGA folks to the right. I think Tom can do both."
In the days after McCarthy was removed from the position — a first in American history — Emmer announced he'd support Scalise in his aspirations toward higher office. At the same time, Emmer announced he'd seek Scalise's position as majority leader.
About a week after Scalise was first floated for the job, he dropped out of contention, announcing he failed to secure enough votes from his Republican colleagues.
As of Friday afternoon, several other House Republicans who had thrown their hats into the ring for speaker, including Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma; Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia; Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida.
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