House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, made his pitch for the speaker\u2019s gavel to the pragmatic Main Street Caucus on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
That group is a critical one for Jordan to please in order to win the top spot. The business-minded caucus boasts a significant number of moderates, in addition to its conservative members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those moderates, particularly from districts won by President Biden in 2020, may be wary of supporting a lawmaker who previously led the hardline-right House Freedom Caucus.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think there\u2019s still some hesitation from New Yorkers\u2026 particularly those who are in Biden districts, because Jim Jordan has just been so pro-Trump,\u2019 one source familiar with the meeting told Fox News Digital afterward. \u2018You\u2019ve got the moderates that are in Biden districts that may not feel comfortable.\u2019<\/p>\n
However, two Main Street Caucus members, both from majority-Republican districts, told Fox News Digital after the meeting that Jordan made a strong case for himself.<\/p>\n
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who had been voicing concerns about the one-member threshold motion to vacate, said Jordan broached his and others\u2019 issues on the matter effectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The one-member motion to vacate rule allowed Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to call for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy\u2019s ouster on Monday. Gaetz and seven other Republicans joined House Democrats in booting McCarthy, R-Calif., from leadership on Tuesday \u2014 leaving a power vacuum in his wake.<\/p>\n
\u2018He understands that we need to change the rule. I think he wants to change it in the right way. And he may be the one person that can change that rule,\u2019 Gimenez told Fox News Digital. \u2018I trust Jim Jordan\u2026 I have no problem considering him for speaker.\u2019<\/p>\n
Gimenez said Main Street Caucus Republicans \u2018made clear to him\u2019 in the meeting that changing the motion to vacate rule \u2018was our number one priority.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018He\u2019s a Freedom Caucus member. And, and so you know, I had some caution there, but I\u2019ve gotten to know Jim Jordan,\u2019 he said. \u2018I think he\u2019s smart. I also think one thing about Jim Jordan \u2014 I think he\u2019s a very honorable person. A man of his word.\u2019<\/p>\n
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital she also was impressed by Jordan and suggested he could serve as a bridge between moderates and conservatives.<\/p>\n
\u2018Jim Jordan made a good presentation. Probably one of his strengths is that\u2026 he\u2019s probably most likely to be able to bring everyone together because of his relationships with both the Freedom Caucus and moderates, and the conservatives in between,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n
Malliotakis said among the topics discussed were avoiding a possible government shutdown and how to navigate working with Democrats in both the House and Senate, as well as changing the motion to vacate rule.<\/p>\n
Neither Malliotakis nor Gimenez has decided on whom to support.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to Jordan, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., has also thrown his hat in the ring. Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hern, R-Okla., is also considering a run for speaker.<\/p>\n
Malliotakis said both Jordan and Scalise were \u2018gifted communicators,\u2019 speculating that they will likely end up being the two frontrunners for the job.<\/p>\n
Scalise is due to speak with the Main Street Caucus on Friday morning, Fox News Digital has learned. He\u2019s also speaking with the Western Caucus and the House GOP freshman class.<\/p>\n