Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) announced his intention to run for the seat of Speaker of the House on July 26.
In a letter sent to Republican colleagues, Jordan vowed to help President Donald Trump deliver on his campaign promises.
“President Trump has taken bold action on behalf of the American people,” Jordan wrote. “Congress has not held up its end of the deal, but we can change that. It’s time to do what we said.”
The current speaker, Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced in April that he will not run for re-election in November this year. Ryan assumed the speaker’s role in 2015.
Before November, Jordan suggested that Republicans focus on six legislative priorities to inspire voters: repealing Obamacare, reforming welfare, building a border wall and reforming the immigration system, making last year’s tax cuts permanent, defunding Planned Parenthood, and enacting spending cuts.
The candidate for speaker wrote that it’s also time to shake up the committee assignments process with a focus on merit, talent, and experience.
“Rank-and-file members know who has the skills to get the best policies enacted and conduct rigorous oversight,” Jordan wrote.
In the weeks running up to his announcement, Jordan was the subject of an apparent smear campaign. Several former wrestlers accused Jordan of not acting on rumors about sexual abuse by a team doctor that circulated during his tenure at The Ohio State University more than 20 years ago.
The accusers were all adults at the time and came forward with the allegations around the time that talk of Jordan running for the speaker’s chair started. Since the accusers came forth, six former coaches, 15 former wrestlers, and the entire House Freedom Caucus came forward to defend Jordan.
“Jim Jordan is a fine and decent person who has a lifetime history of being honorable and honest, unlike his accusers whose extremely troubled backgrounds and ongoing legal and financial troubles place the veracity of their allegations into the realm of ridiculous,” Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said in a statement.
