DeSantis backs Jordan in Speaker race, criticizes House chaos

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is backing Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in the GOP Speakership fight, while criticizing the Republican chaos in the lower chamber of Congress.

“I was hoping that Jim would get — Jim Jordan would get elected,” DeSantis, also a 2024 GOP presidential primary candidate, said in an interview with Blake Burman, moderator of “The Hill” on NewsNation.

“You know, he has my support, I think he could do a good job,” DeSantis said.

“But you know, what I see is just the contrast between what’s going on in D.C. and how we roll in Florida,” DeSantis continued. “We don’t do political empty calories down here. We don’t do the sideshow. We don’t do the drama. We just deliver results across the board.”

The full interview airs today on “The Hill” on NewsNation at 5 p.m. ET.

Jordan lost a second vote to try and attain the Speakership on Wednesday, earning 199 votes to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s (D-N.Y.) 212, with 22 Republicans in the House voting for other candidates.

Jordan so far has not signaled a willingness to give up the battle.

“We picked up some today, a couple dropped off, but they voted for me before. I think they can come back again. So we’ll keep talking to members. Keep working on it,” Jordan said after the vote.

The House has not had a Speaker since earlier this month, when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted in a bipartisan vote. Eight Republicans joined House Democrats in the vote, earning the ire of some in their own party for McCarthy’s ouster.

Former President Trump, one of DeSantis’s rivals for the 2024 GOP nomination, also announced his support for Jordan earlier this month. 

“He is a STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment. Jim, his wife, Polly, & family are outstanding – He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.