Having spent weeks at a stalemate, House Republicans are now sifting through quite the crowded field as eight party members have announced they are running to clinch the chamber's speakership, greatly expanding a list of potential contenders previously limited to one or two candidates.
Jack Bergman, Michigan, 76
A former US Marine who flew a helicopter in the Vietnam War and spent 40 years in the service, US Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) has indicated he is only looking to take on the position temporarily so to establish a sense of normalcy in the US House.
“I'm military. And when you are in the middle of a fight, if the commander goes down on the battlefield, someone steps up to still prosecute the fight,” Bergman told reporters on Friday.
“I don't want this job… but I will volunteer to step up to properly relieve until we get 217 votes out of this room.”
Bergman has largely supported funding to Ukraine but said in March that funding to Kiev should be separate from any further budget debates.
The Michigan lawmaker presently sits on the House Armed Services Committee, Veterans Affairs and Budget panels, and chairs the Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations.
Byron Donalds, Florida, 44
The youngest and least experienced on congressional matters among the eight candidates, US Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is seen as a rising star in the GOP, being named a member of the “Freedom Force,” a Republican counterpoint to the Democrats’ ostensibly progressive “Squad.”
Donalds began entering the national conversation when he received 20 votes during US Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) appointment as House speaker in January. Those votes, which were intended to prevent McCarthy from securing the nomination and not to elect Donalds, forced McCarthy to go through more than a dozen rounds of voting before eventually securing his short-lived term.
A vehement critic of further aid to Ukraine, Donalds said there was “no money in the House right now for Ukraine,” ahead of a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in September.
Originally from Brooklyn, Donalds describes himself as “everything the fake news media says doesn’t exist: a Trump supporting, liberty loving, pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment Black man.”
Tom Emmer, Minnesota, 62
Originally from Indiana, US Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) is a staunch ally of McCarthy and has received his endorsement. As the majority whip in the US House, Emmer was tasked with keeping the caucus together since his election to the position earlier this year.
Emmer has backed all aid packages to Ukraine and has been vocal in his support.
The Minnesota officials earlier angered former US President and current presumptive Republican nominee for President, Donald Trump by voting to certify Joe Biden’s election win in 2020, one of only two speaker candidates to do so.
A Trump fundraiser has described Emmer as “[former US House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi in a suit” on Steve Bannon’s podcast last week.
Kevin Hern, Oklahoma, 61
US Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) was initially floated by media outlets as a potential candidate shortly after McCarthy was booted from the House speakership, although he initially refused to run. Like Donalds, Hern also received some protest votes during McCarthy’s appointment.
Hern has expressed opposition to Ukraine funding being tied to budgetary bills but has not closed the door on additional funding completely. If elected speaker, Hern has indicated he would demand the White House give a classified briefing to representatives before any aid package is considered.
The lawmaker presently serves as the chair of the Republican Study Committee.
Mike Johnson, Louisiana, 51
A former radio talk show host, US Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) serves as the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, making him a force behind the scenes.
While he initially called for “swift action against Russia” at the start of the special military operation, Johnson has since stated his opposition to further aid being sent to the Kiev regime.
Elected to serve in Congress in December 2016, Johnson previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives between 2015 and 2017. It was during this period that he proposed a 2015 bill that was largely seen as discriminatory to the LGBTQ community.
Gary Palmer, Alabama, 69
An adamant supporter of Ukraine, US Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) has voted to send weapons to the conflict at every opportunity while also being one of the more hawkish Republicans regarding China.
As the chair of the Republican Policy Committee, Palmer already holds a major role in shaping the policies of the GOP.
“The Republican majority must be willing to make the reforms necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility and restore people’s faith in their government - and in us as their elected representatives,” Palmer said in a statement that spoke to the importance of Republican leadership.
The lawmaker, who spent 24 years at the Alabama Policy Institute think tank, has served in Congress since 2014 ad was among Republican members who voted not to certify the 2020 election results.
Austin Scott, Georgia, 53
US Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), along with Emmer was one of only two speaker candidates that voted to certify Biden’s election win, drawing ire from Trump and his supporters.
A vocal ally of McCarthy, Scott has also been one of the strongest proponents of giving more aid and weapons to Ukraine.
Scott previously challenged Jordan for the Republican nomination for speaker but supported the Ohio Republican during floor votes. With Jordan out and the field open again, Scott has thrown his hat into the ring again.
Pete Sessions, Texas, 68
Originally elected in 1996, US Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) has more experience in Congress than any other speaker candidate. While he lost his seat in 2018 to a Democrat in an upset election, Sessions returned to Congress two years later after running in a different district.
Sessions was listed in a criminal indictment as one of the congressmen who allegedly accepted money from two Ukrainian businessmen who were attempting to get Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States removed from the position. Sessions was not charged in the case and was not accused of any wrongdoing.
He has, however, been one of the most vocal supporters of Kiev in the GOP, and has voted for every aid package.
Of note: His father, William S. Sessions was the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations during the Branch Davidian Siege, also known as the Waco Massacre, where 86 members of the cult were killed, including 28 children.
What's Next?
Republicans plan to hold a closed-door vote to pick a nominee on Tuesday but because of the large number of candidates, it is likely to take multiple votes to whittle down the field.
Once a candidate is selected, 217 members of Congress, likely all Republicans, will have to vote for the candidate on the House Floor for the ordeal to end. There are currently 221 Republicans in the House of Representatives.
US Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) has introduced a unity pledge, of which the signees will promise to vote for the eventual Republican nominee once elected. At least six of the eight candidates have signed it, but it will ultimately be up to the rank-and-file members of Republicans in the House.