Rep. Kevin Hern has announced that he no longer plans to pursue becoming the next Speaker of the House following the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the role.

Hern shared the change in a letter to fellow conservatives, calling for unity among those in his party.

Hern bows out of speaker's race, calls for unity in GOP conference - https://t.co/teeL1ehwNQ

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 7, 2023

The statement

“House Republicans must unify - and do it fast. It’s clear to me that a three-man race for Speaker will only draw this process out longer, creating further division which would make it harder for any candidate to reach 217 votes,” Hern said.

“For these reasons, I want two good friends of mine, Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, to have the opportunity to earn 217 votes from our Conference," he continued.

I’ve been on the phone 50+ hours with Republican members and what’s clear is we all want UNITY.

I believe a three-man race for Speaker will create even more division and make it harder to elect a Speaker.

Read my letter here: pic.twitter.com/Sea4gPCS94

— Congressman Kevin Hern (@repkevinhern) October 7, 2023

The details

"I’ve been on the phone 50+ hours with Republican members and what’s clear is we all want UNITY," Hern stated on X, formerly Twitter.

"I believe a three-man race for Speaker will create even more division and make it harder to elect a Speaker," he added.

GOP Rep. Kevin Hern steps back from heated race for House Speaker https://t.co/gkNQWiO846

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 7, 2023

What's next?

"That leaves the two current formally-declared candidates for speaker, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio," Fox News reported.

"House Republicans are meeting behind closed doors on Monday evening before a conference-wide candidate forum on Tuesday. An inter-party vote on speaker is expected on Wednesday, followed by a House-wide vote later," it noted.

In addition to Scalise and Jordan, speculation has grown over a movement to make former President Donald Trump the next House Speaker.

Trump appeared open to the idea in discussion with reporters but is unlikely to move forward due to his current presidential campaign and ongoing court battles in multiple states.

The next few days will likely determine the next speaker with either Scalise or Jordan in leadership, offering an even stronger partner for Trump as he seeks to win back a comeback term in the White House next year.