Jordan pressed by conservatives to run for Speaker

More than 100 leaders of conservative groups have signed on to a letter calling on Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to run for Speaker of the House.

In a letter sent to Jordan, the 114 conservative leaders argued that new voices are needed to accomplish the party’s goals and that the current House GOP leadership team should be cleaned out.

“The present House Republican leadership has proven that it’s part of ‘the Swamp,’ ” the letter said. “Consequently, a vote to promote any member of today’s House GOP leadership is a vote for the Swamp. It’s time to Clean House.”

{mosads}Signatories included Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund Chairman Jenny Beth Martin; FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon; L. Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center; and Richard Viguerie, chairman of ConservativeHQ.com.

The signatories said they don’t believe current leadership has done an adequate job of crafting an agenda that meets conservative standards, adding they think Jordan — who has a reputation for being a thorn in leadership’s side — could change the way things are done in Washington. 

“The present House Republican leadership has failed. It is part of the problem. You are the solution. This is your moment,” the letter reads. “We pray you will seize it, knowing that if you do, we will do everything we can to help you succeed.”

Jordan, a leading voice in the House Freedom Caucus, hasn’t ruled out a leadership bid but hasn’t announced one either.

He could face an uphill battle in a leadership contest against Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who is seen as the favorite to succeed retiring Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

Ryan has endorsed McCarthy, who is also seen as close to President Trump.