Nine Republicans have thrown their hat in the ring to be the next House speaker, Republican conference chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said Sunday.
The deadline for candidates to submit their names was noon on Sunday. The House has been without a speaker for 19 days since Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) led a successful effort to remove Kevin McCarthy from the position earlier this month.
Republicans are back to square one after their second nominee House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) failed to secure 217 votes to win the gavel during three rounds of voting last week. Their initial nominee House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) dropped out before a vote on the House floor because he could not get to 217.
The new crop of candidates vying for the speakership include Reps: Jack Bergman (MI), Byron Donalds (FL), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN), Kevin Hern (OK), House Republican Conference vice chair Mike Johnson (LA), Dan Meuser (PA), Gary Palmer (AL), Austin Scott (GA), and Pete Sessions (TX).
McCarthy has endorsed Emmer, saying that he has experience to get the job done.
Republican will hold a candidate forum on Monday and a secret ballot election for a new Speaker nominee Tuesday.
Gaetz, the molestor of underaged girls should be serving a prison term.