'Puppet for the swamp': Republican who backed Jordan for speaker turns on him

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) previously gave her backing to House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) to take over as Speaker of the House.

But in a new statement released on Friday following his formal nomination, Spartz has rescinded her support — and threatened to potentially vote against him in a floor vote.

"I voted to support Jim Jordan for speaker," wrote Spartz. However, "After witnessing all of the behind-the-scenes politics, backstabbing, undermining, top-down attitude and statements made by former Speaker McCarthy and his allies in conference today, I will have to assess on Monday if Jim is the right person who will be held accountable to the same standard as Kevin was, or just another puppet for the swamp with a better bio."

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Spartz also chastised her own party for kicking the can and leaving town in the middle of the chaos, saying, "I am also very disappointed that we were sent home without reconciling this issue.”

After a small breakaway faction of far-right Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in a first-of-its kind move in U.S. history, business in the House has been largely paralyzed until a new speaker can be confirmed. However, Republicans don't appear close to finding a consensus candidate.

Earlier this week, Republicans voted to nominate House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) as their candidate for speaker. However, the division in the conference was so immediate and swift that Scalise withdrew his nomination just a day later.

Jordan has also been endorsed by former president Donald Trump.