Meet the Ga. congressman, other Republicans running for House Speaker

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The U.S. House of Representatives entered its third week Monday morning without a Speaker.

On Friday morning, Ohio Republican Jim Jordan failed again in his quest to become speaker after hardline conservatives ousted Kevin McCarthy of California. McCarthy became the first House speaker to be removed from office.

Now, attention is being turned to the numerous Republicans who have declared their candidacy for the position, one of whom is U.S. Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia’s 3rd congressional district.

Scott launched his own speakership bid two weeks ago, but later withdrew his candidacy and supported Jordan, chairman of the House judiciary committee.

Now, Scott is again running for the job. He’s served in Congress since 2011, and represents a district running from central Georgia and southward to the Florida border. The 8th district includes the cities of Perry, Cordele, Tifton, Moultrie, Valdosta and portions of Macon.

Scott owned and operated an insurance brokerage firm for nearly 20 years.

Here, according to CBS News, are the other announced candidates:

• Rep. Jack Bergman, Michigan. Bergman is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general and businessman.
• Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida. Earlier this year, as House Republicans were again struggling to elect a speaker (15 votes were needed before McCarthy was finally elected), Donalds was nominated several times.
• Rep. Tom Emmer, Minnesota. Emmer currently serves as Majority Whip, and is a close ally of McCarthy.
• Rep. Kevin Hern, Oklahoma. Hern chairs the conservative Republican Study Committee.
• Rep. Mike Johnson, Louisiana. He serves as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference. He is an attorney and a former radio host.
• Rep. Dan Meuser, Pennsylvania. He has been in Congress since 2019.
• Rep. Gary Palmer, Alabama. A supporter of Jordan’s speakership bid, he is currently the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.
• Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas. He has previously chaired the powerful House Rules Committee as well as the National Republican Congressional Committee.

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