Where Tennessee's delegation stands on Rep. Jordan as speaker fight drags on

Republicans in Tennessee's Congressional delegation continue to support House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, even after two failed bids to secure enough votes to become U.S. House speaker.

Jordan said on Thursday he would not seek a third vote for the speakership immediately, instead endorsing expanding the powers of Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., in order to pass critical business.

A growing coalition in the Republican Conference backs empowering McHenry, who has served as interim speaker since former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. was ousted earlier this month, to serve as temporary speaker.

But by the end of the day, as it became clear that there is no path forward for McHenry as temporary speaker, Jordan renewed his candidacy for the job.

All eight Republicans in the U.S. House had backed Jordan through the second vote Wednesday — and two reiterated their support for Jordan as discussions continued Thursday.

Here's where they stand:

Rep. Mark Green – Still Jim Jordan

U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, was one of Jordan’s earliest supporters and has advocated publicly for him throughout the last week. He continued to back a Jordan speakership, even after Jordan announced support to temporarily install McHenry in the post.

“It is clear that my constituents agree with what I said to my colleagues earlier today: Just two votes in four days is not enough," Green said in a statement to The Tennessean. "We went through 15 rounds for Speaker McCarthy, we need to stay here until we elect Jim Jordan—not empower a Speaker Pro Tem in the meantime.”

Rep. Andy Ogles – Still Jim Jordan

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, also continues to back Jordan for speaker. He has vocally advocated for the Republican conference to unite around Jordan this week.

"We cannot let interpersonal politics compromise our party's core values. Backing the motion to empower the interim Speaker is akin to endorsing Speaker Jeffries, and it distorts the very Constitution we pledged to uphold while blatantly disregarding the voices of our constituents," Ogles said in a statement Thursday.

"The Washington establishment is at it again," he said. "I made a vow to oppose such tactics, and I remain steadfast in upholding my oath to protect and preserve our Constitution."

Rep. Tim Burchett – unknown

After voting to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, supported Jordan in floor votes on Tuesday and Wednesday. His office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais – unknown

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-South Pittsburg, had voted for Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday. His office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Rep. Diana Harshbarger – unknown

U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport, had voted for Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday. Her office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann – unknown

After initially supporting Majority Leader Steve Scalise, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, voted for Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday. His office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Rep. David Kustoff – unknown

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, R-Germantown, voted for Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday. His office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Rep. John Rose – unknown

U.S. Rep. John Rose had voted for Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X and Threads @Vivian_E_Jones. 

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: US House speaker race: Where TN Republicans stand on Rep. Jim Jordan