Republican Representative Tom Emmer has withdrawn his candidacy for Speaker of the House of Representatives, adding to the ongoing struggle to fill the leadership role. Emmer, who represented the state of Minnesota, outlasted eight other candidates during rounds of secret balloting before withdrawing due to opposition from around 20 Republican lawmakers. This setback comes after the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy on October 3, when eight Republicans joined with all 212 House Democrats to vote him out. Republicans have since been unable to find a replacement, with Representative Steve Scalise and Representative Jim Jordan both failing to gather enough support.

The latest nominee is now Tom Emmer, who currently serves as House Majority Whip and is the third-most powerful Republican in the House. However, it remains unclear if Emmer will be able to secure enough votes to become the Speaker. Former President Donald Trump criticized Emmer on his Truth Social media platform, labeling him a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) and warning that voting for him would be a mistake. Trump's comments may sway some hard-line Republicans, and it is uncertain if Emmer can gain their support. Texas Republican Andy Webber stated that Emmer currently lacks the necessary votes to win a floor vote, with around 20 or more lawmakers opposing him.

The divided Republican Party is facing challenges due to their slim majority in the House. Their nominee can only afford to lose a few votes from their own side, making it crucial to secure majority support. The infighting among Republicans has left many frustrated, including Representative Brett Guthrie, who expressed disappointment at the lack of progress. However, some lawmakers believe that the ongoing discussions and grievances are necessary for the party to come together and find a resolution. The next steps and potential strategies will be discussed in a meeting scheduled for later in the day.

Tom Emmer, a former college ice hockey player and coach, has been in Congress since 2015 and previously served as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He narrowly lost a race for governor of Minnesota in 2010. Despite his vote to certify the 2020 election results, which angered former President Trump, Emmer's current level of support remains uncertain. Trump's lack of endorsement for any of the candidates adds an additional layer of uncertainty to the situation. The vacancy in the Speaker role has left the House unable to address crucial budget matters, with a November 17 deadline looming for resolution to avoid a partial government shutdown.