NINE candidates go to war to become House speaker: Republican Whip Tom Emmer’s allies push back on the campaign to try and SINK him because he is ‘anti-Trump’ as farce continues with no end in sight

Nine Republican candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives as Republicans enter Day 20 without a leader.

The House of Representatives has been in chaos for nearly a month after eight Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., voted to impeach former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in an unprecedented move.

Since then, Republicans have yet to find a candidate who can secure 217 Republican votes — the magic number needed to take the top leadership spot. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, tried and failed three times last week after Majority Leader Steve Scalise withdrew before his nomination was even voted on.

The next Republican speaker candidate can afford to lose just four votes, creating a near-impossible task in a divided conference.

DailyMail.com lists the nine candidates who will make the case for the GOP’s top role Monday night during a closed-door GOP conference. Only one will emerge as speaker candidate after a secret ballot Tuesday.

Majority Whip Tom Emmer

Emmer, R-Minn., is the top favorite on speakers. He has already won the support of former chairman Kevin McCarthy and is seen as the establishment candidate who ‘knows how to do his job’.

As whip, he has handled the daunting task of getting a divided conference on board with key pieces of legislation and is known for being personable and easy-going — often using sports analogies.

However, Trump allies on the Hill are working behind the scenes in an effort to brand him as a “never Trump” candidate.

A source connected to Trump tells DailyMail.com that the former president’s grievances with 62-year-old Emmer date back to 2022, when Emmer was chairman of the Republican National Congressional Committee (NRCC).

He reportedly told candidates that Trump would be “toxic” to their campaigns and was seen as a risk by Republican donors for not defending Trump “strongly” enough.

But Emmer’s supporters are pushing back strongly, saying there is “no hard evidence” that he is in any way anti-Trump. They point to Emmer’s expressions of support for the former president in 2016 and 2020, and to Trump’s own glowing support in 2022.

Emmer’s allies also told DailyMail.com that they have been in contact with the MAGA camp over the weekend and are holding weekly conversations with top Trump surrogates.

Moreover, he has “conference-wide” support and a strong ability to raise money through his “extensive” national donor network – which Republicans will need to retain the majority in the House of Representatives in 2024.

But Trump allies note that Emmer has not yet endorsed the former president in 2024 — which has angered him behind the scenes. McCarthy and Scalise have also yet to endorse Trump – who has so far only publicly supported Jordan in his failed speakership bid.

Trump does not want another speaker in the House of Representatives who will be less friendly to him than McCarthy, a Republican aide added.

The anti-Emmer camp also points to his vote to certify the 2020 election — which ruffled Trump’s feathers.

Another source tells DailyMail.com that Emmer’s vote in favor of the Equality Act is seen as a “slippery slope” for social conservatives concerned about the rise of men competing in women’s sports and other issues.

Emmer’s supporters say the push to brand him as anti-Trump shows the former president’s allies have “nothing left in the tank.”

It’s the same playbook they tried to use during the whip race, and it didn’t work, a source tells DailyMail.com.

GOP Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson

Johnson, R-La., is a well-known member running on an “urgency” platform.

He currently sits on the House Judiciary Committee and is an ally of former Chairman Kevin McCarthy as he currently holds a leadership position.

“We all agree that the urgency of the hour requires a specific plan and bold, decisive action,” Johnson, 51, wrote in a letter to fellow Republican lawmakers this weekend.

“It also requires a leader who will humble himself before Almighty God every day, selflessly serve the entire membership of this body, and fight relentlessly for our core conservative principles and policies,” he continued.

Johnson spokesperson Corinne Day tells DailyMail.com that he is having many productive conversations with his colleagues and that he “feels good” about where he is currently.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern

Hern, R-Okla., is the head of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative group on Capitol Hill.

He announced his bid last week after endorsing Jim Jordan during the three rounds of voting.

“We need a different type of leader who has a proven track record of success, and that is why I am running for Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Hern, 61, stated on X.

Byron Donalds

Donalds, 44, from Florida, is seen as the most pro-Trump candidate of the pack. He is a “rising” Republican star who regularly appears in Fox News hits and other media.

Donalds is also a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, whose members voted to oust McCarthy 20 days ago. He says that while he is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, he has “worked very closely” with members of the central Main Street Caucus.

‘We have worked well together and built up a relationship of trust. They know where I stand and they trust that when I say something, I mean it,” he said on Newsmax this weekend.

He has the support of Rep. Mike Waltz — who previously supported Jim Jordan’s bid for speaker — as well as Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who opposed Jordan every cycle.

Jac Bergman

Bergman, 76, of Michigan, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, serves on the Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs and Budget committees.

He says his 40 years in the military showed him “what it takes to lead by example, bring people together and accomplish a mission.”

He has called on Congress to remain in session until a new president is elected. There are only 25 days left before the short-term spending bill expires and the government goes into a shutdown.

Michigan Reps. John James, Tim Walberg, Lisa McClain and John Moolenaar have already endorsed Bergman.

Then Meuser

“I come from the business world and I intend, when I lead, to bring a business perspective to things and build consensus,” Meuser said Friday.

Meuser, 59, a native of Pennsylvania, entered the race last week amid the chaos.

He plans to run on a business platform – he currently sits on the House Small Business and Financial Services committees.

Gary Palmer

Palmer, R-Ala., has been the leader of the Republican Policy Committee since 2019.

“The American people are desperate for authentic leadership. Leadership that is stable and conservative. This is why I decided to take a step forward in the race for Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Palmer, 69, said in his announcement.

He serves on the powerful House Oversight Committee and House Commerce Committee.

Austin Scott

Scott, R-Ga., challenged Jordan for speaker last week and re-entered the race after the Republican dropped out.

“If we want to be the majority, we have to act like the majority, and that means doing the right things the right way,” Scott, 53, wrote on X.

“I supported and voted for Representative Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House of Representatives. Now that he has withdrawn, I am running again as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Scott lost to Jordan in the secret ballot process 124-81.

Piet Sessions

Sessions, 68, from Texas wrote on X: “It’s time to get back to work for the American people.”

He touts his record of winning 63 seats when he was chairman of the NRCC.

For the past six years, he has chaired the House Rules Committee, which sets the voting agenda in the House of Representatives.