South Atlanta News

In a significant shift during the Speaker of the House vote, Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) altered his initial support for Congressman Jordan due to concerns over aggressive tactics, ultimately casting his vote for Majority Leader Steve Scalise. This change came in response to mounting pressure campaigns and attacks on fellow members, with Congressman Ferguson emphasizing the need for principled and unifying leadership while strongly condemning the unacceptable death threats his family received in the aftermath.

"I cast my vote for Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a principled conservative and unifying leader."

U.S. Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) expressed his initial support for Congressman Jordan in the Speaker of the House vote but later changed his stance due to concerns over aggressive tactics and pressure campaigns. He ultimately voted for Majority Leader Steve Scalise and condemned the unacceptable death threats his family received following the vote.

Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03) released a statement explaining why he initially supported Congressman Jordan in the Speaker of the House vote but changed his vote to Majority Leader Steve Scalise, citing concerns over aggressive tactics.

The representative said in his press release that death threats were: "...unacceptable, unforgivable, and will never be tolerated.”

U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson issued his statement as news circulated that Jordan would not seek a third vote for Speaker after losing support on the second ballot, according to GPB news.

According to his website biography, Ferguson represents Georgia's 3rd Congressional District, which includes a portion of North Columbus. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Budget Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Social Security and is a member of the Subcommittee on Tax (Select Revenue Measures). Additionally, he held the position of Chief Deputy Whip for House Republicans from 2018 to 2022.

According to a Fox News report, the House GOP's divisions over the speakership continue as Rep. Jim Jordan withdraws from the nomination after an unsuccessful third vote. An alternative proposal suggesting Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry take temporary leadership until January lacks GOP support, leaving the House without a speaker for 17 days since the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The Fox News report further said that in the third round of voting for the House speaker, Jordan faced increased opposition, with 25 Republicans voting against him, leaving him with only 194 votes, falling short of the 217 needed to secure the speakership. This marked Jordan's lowest vote count across the three ballots.

USA Today reported House Republicans will host a candidate forum on Monday at 6:30 p.m. to consider prospective speakers, with the earliest possible election for a new speaker set for Tuesday.