House lawmakers are out of Washington, but that hasn’t stopped endorsements streaming in for the two declared candidates for speaker — Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan.
Both men, as well as any other entrants, are expected to make their cases Tuesday to a “candidate forum” amid ongoing raw emotions within the GOP conference after Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.
Both declared candidates have continued to tally new endorsements for their bids. Some of those to endorse (let us know if your boss has weighed in definitively):
Scalise: Ken Calvert (Calif.), Buddy Carter (Ga.), Drew Ferguson (Ga.), Tom Emmer (Minn.), Tony Gonzales (Texas), Lance Gooden (Texas), John James (Mich.), Lisa McClain (Mich.), Chuck Fleischmann (Tenn.), Steve Womack (Ark.), Austin Scott (Ga.)
Jordan: Jim Banks (Ind.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Mark Green (Tenn.), Mary Miller (Ill.), Alex Mooney (W.Va.), Mike Carey (Ohio), Darrel Issa (Calif.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Mike Turner (Ohio)
Former President Donald Trump: Troy Nehls (Texas), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Greg Steube (Fla.), Barry Moore (Ala.)
The word from Gaetzland: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) called both declared candidates “excellent choices” and said: “Either Jim Jordan or Steve Scalise would be marked improvement over Kevin McCarthy.”
For what it’s worth: Jordan told NBC News he’s discussed his bid with Trump and would not try to evict Gaetz from the House GOP. He demurred on whether to continue with the motion to vacate as a matter for the conference to decide.