Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has convinced key Republicans to support his bid to be the next House Speaker. Jordan spent the weekend making phone calls and meeting with members after a secret ballot Friday indicated there were about 50 Republicans who opposed his nomination. 

The new supporters include House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala.   

Rogers posted on X, “@Jim_Jordan and I have had two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations over the past two days. We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government’s vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill.” 

https://twitter.com/RepMikeRogersAL/status/1713911208493961598

Jordan also gained the backing of Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert, R-Calif., and Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., who had called Jordan a “non-starter”. 

https://twitter.com/RepAnnWagner/status/1713944367738626093

But while Jordan is winning over lawmakers who had previously opposed him, he’s not out of the woods just yet. He can only lose four Republican votes and some members of the party may vote for Majority Leader Steve Scalise as a protest. 

SAN caught up with Jordan outside his office, here’s what he said: 

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio

I feel real good. I think we’re close.

Ray: 

What’s your message to the members who are still holdouts?

Jordan: 

Well it’s just time to come together. You can’t do the work of the American people if you don’t have a speaker. So we need to unite and get a speaker and I think it’s important that the you know members make this decision not not any kind of pressure from from from folks around the country it’s up to members and I feel good about where members are at we’re having we’re having great discussion so I feel good about tomorrow. Thank you. 

Ray: 

Some members say they’re gonna have a challenger on the floor. Are you concerned about that?

Jordan: 

No.  

An official vote for Speaker is expected on the House floor Tuesday at noon, regardless of whether Jordan has the 217 votes he needs to be elected.