Alabamaâs Gary Palmer joins race to become Speaker of the House
Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, along with nine other republicans, officially announced his candidacy for House speaker.
This comes after Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio didn’t get enough votes to secure the spot after three rounds of failed voting. Palmer previously supported Jim Jordan for speaker.
Noon on Sunday was the deadline for candidates to announce their bid for speaker. According to a post on X by Rep. Elise Stefanik, the announced candidates to the House Republican Conference also include Jack Bergman (Michigan), Byron Donalds (Florida), Tom Emmer (Minnesota), Kevin Hern (Oklahoma), Mike Johnson (Louisiana), Dan Meuser (Pennsylvania), Austin Scott (Georgia), and Pete Sessions (Texas).
Palmer, who grew up in Hackleburg in northwest Alabama, lives in Hoover and represents Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Last week, Alabama republicans blasted Rep. Mike Rogers for working with Democrats in order to secure a House Speaker after meeting with Hakeem Jefferies in a closed door meeting.
According to CBS News, interim Speaker Patrick McHenry said Republicans will meet on Monday to discuss the candidates, and a vote will take place on Tuesday evening.
Seven out of the nine candidates, with exceptions to Reps. Emmer and Scott, voted to decertify the 2020 Presidential election after the Capitol Insurrection.