Hern announces he won't seek Speakership, citing need for party unity

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) will not run to be Speaker of the House, he announced Saturday.

The Republican Study Committee chair had hinted at a Speaker bid but ultimately decided against the move, saying a three-man race for the seat “will create even more division and make it harder to elect a Speaker.”

“I called, texted or met in-person with all 221 members of the House Republican Conference, asking each member what they want to see in the next Speaker and how we can move forward as a Majority,” he said in a statement. “The overwhelming response I heard from you is that we must unify and come out of this situation stronger as a Majority. While many of you have emphasized the necessity for new blood in our leadership, the need for unity comes first and foremost.”

Hern’s decision leaves the Speaker race between Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). 

Jordan has appealed to the party’s conservative wing and those looking for a new look in leadership, while Scalise — an ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — has leaned on his leadership experience.

Hern did not endorse a candidate for Speaker in the announcement, saying he wants the two men to face off and earn the support of the caucus. Republicans are expected to select a Speaker candidate at a closed-door meeting Tuesday.

“Whatever happens next, our Conference must commit to stay in the room, turn off our phones, and work together until we have a candidate that can earn 217 Republican votes,” Hern said. “When we leave that room and head to the House floor, we must show the world that we are united in support behind our Speaker and ready to do the work we were elected to do.”

The chaotic Speaker race began with the historic removal of McCarthy as Speaker last Tuesday. He is the only Speaker to ever be kicked from the job by a vote of his colleagues. 

Former President Trump was also briefly floated as a Speaker candidate, and he indicated he may be interested in the job, but the former president ultimately decided to bow out and back Jordan.