Tom Emmer leads after first round of voting for GOP speaker nominee

Republicans will meet Monday evening to hear from the nine Republican lawmakers running for the top job in the House of Representatives.

The candidate who gets the most votes from the conference in a secret ballot Tuesday morning will become the next designated speaker of the House Republicans, but will still need to win at least 217 votes to hold the gavel.

The No. 3 House Republican, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., is the highest-ranking Republican lawmaker running for speaker. Emmer touted those credentials in a letter Saturday to colleagues, highlighting Republican legislative victories and reminding them that he helped the GOP win its majority as chairman of the House Republican campaign arm.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., released a broad but simple mandate for his incoming president. In a statement Friday, he said, “My single goal will be to secure our border, fund our government responsibly, advance a conservative vision for the House of Representatives and the American people, and expand our Republican majority “.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern delivered a memo to GOP lawmakers on Monday highlighting the work he has done to prepare his bid for speaker, including reaching out to all members of the conference during weekend “to know their priorities”.

GOP Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson, R-La., and Republican Policy Committee Chairman Gary Palmer, R-Ala., are, like Emmer, members of the leadership who are throwing their hats in the ring as orator

Four House Republicans who have largely stayed out of the spotlight this Congress are also jumping into the race: Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan; Austin Scott, R-Ga.; Pete Sessions, R-Texas; and Dan Meuser, R-Pa.