Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise both expressed a desire to become House speaker after California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the position last week.

While a third lawmaker briefly spoke of throwing his hat into the ring, he has since said that his campaign is over. 

Rep. Kevin Hern will "step aside"

According to Breitbart, Oklahoma Republican Rep. Kevin Hern told Fox News host Neil Cavuto this weekend that he will be bowing out of the speaker's race.

"I think it’s time that we do everything we can to unify our party," Hern said during a Saturday appearance on Fox News' "Cavuto Live."

.@repkevinhern joins Neil to discuss the search for the next Speaker of the House pic.twitter.com/8B37CzzfNA

— Neil Cavuto (@TeamCavuto) October 7, 2023

Hern stressed that he will "step aside" so as to allow Jordan and Scalise to "let them get their best case why they should be Speaker of the House."

Kern says "a three-man race for Speaker will create even more division"

The congressman reiterated that message in a tweet on Saturday, saying, "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," Kern 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

"I didn’t come to Congress to be someone, I came to Congress to do something," Hern went on to stress in a subsequent tweet before adding, "I will never put my personal platform above the needs of our country. Americans need us to come together."

Trump endorses Jordan

Fox News reported on Friday that former President Donald Trump gave his endorsement in the speaker's race to Jordan, calling him "a star" who is "respected by all."

The announcement came days after South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem told Newsmax host Eric Bolling that there is "an 80% chance" Jordan will win.

Gov. Kristi Noem says there’s an 80% chance Jim Jordan is next Speaker on @NEWSMAX with @ericbolling pic.twitter.com/awfE2fYzUV

— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) October 5, 2023

"To be honest with you Eric, there’s an 80% chance it’s gonna be Jim Jordan. I think he’s probably the guy that most members will land on and give the chance to do it," she stated.