Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, current chair of the pivotal House Judiciary Committee, has announced he will be running to be the next House Speaker. Speaking from the office temporarily filled by Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Jordan told the press on Wednesday, “I’ve had a lot of people reach out to us, asking me to do it because they think we can … I think I can. I think the key is uniting the conference.”

This announcement takes many by surprise. Jordan, previously distancing himself from any suggestion of vying for this role, has historically stood by the side of ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy from California. McCarthy’s surprising exit from his position on Tuesday, led by the party’s far right, seemed to have paved the way for Jordan’s reconsideration.

This story is developing.

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