Shortly after the conference nominated the Minnesota Republican for the speakership, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) withdrew from the race on Tuesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
After a group of Republicans made it apparent they would not support Emmer on the House floor, he withdrew from consideration, making it nearly impossible for him to garner enough votes to take the gavel.
Additionally, former President Trump, who also referred to Emmer as a “RINO,” said that voting for Emmer “would be a tragic mistake.”
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House GOP Conference Secretary Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) reports that 26 Republicans voted present or for someone else in a secondary roll call vote, although Emmer prevailed 117-97 to win the GOP nomination over House GOP Vice Chairman Mike Johnson (La.).
Emmer is the third GOP candidate for Speaker who has failed to win the gavel.
After three unsuccessful attempts to take the gavel on the House floor, the conference last week voted to withdraw Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the judiciary committee’s chairman, as their nominee.
Before that, ardent supporters of Jordan withdrew their support for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.).
Republicans are pushed back to square one in finding a House Speaker.
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