What you need to know about potential presidential candidate Tom Emmer

After Republicans voted Friday to no longer support House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as their presidential candidate, the House is scrambling to find a new nominee.

The move came after Jordan failed for the third time to garner the 217 votes needed to get the gavel.

Several GOP members have since announced they are running, while others are spending the weekend calling about potentially entering the race. The next nominee will be the third in 17 days — after a historic vote ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) was first nominated for the position, but resistance to his candidacy forced him to step down a day later.

The field of those fighting to become the new candidate is quickly becoming crowded. The House will return Monday evening to choose a new candidate.

One rumored hopeful is House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).

Here’s what you need to know about Emmer.

Time spent in the Minnesota House of Representatives

Before being elected to Congress, Emer served three terms as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, from 2005 to 2011.

He served on several committees while in office, including: Finance; Health care; and social service policy and oversight, as well as state and local government operations reform, technology, and elections.

Emmer announced in 2009 that he would run for governor – even receiving support from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R).

The gubernatorial race gained national attention because Target donated $150,000 to a political action committee that funded ads supporting Emmer’s run. However, protests arose against this donation.

Emmer ultimately lost to his Democratic opponent Mark Dayton, who held the position until 2019 – by less than a percentage point.

Two mandates at the head of the NRC as a member of the House

Emmer officially announced he would seek the Republican nomination for Minnesota’s Sixth District after former Rep. Michele Bachmann announced she would vacate her seat.

He received support from several conservative groups, including the Tea Party Express and Young Americans for Liberty, as well as many Minnesota lawmakers.

He defeated Joe Perske in the general election, receiving 56 percent of the vote.

Emmer then served two full terms as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) from 2019 to 2023.

Elected parliamentary majority whip

When Republicans took control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, Emmer ran for House Majority Whip, successfully winning the coveted spot once held by Scalise.

Whips are responsible for helping party leadership introduce party bills to the House, counting votes on key legislation, and maintaining communication among leaders.

“It is an honor to be entrusted by my colleagues with the role of majority whip. Now the hard work begins,” Emmer said in a statement released at the time. “It’s time to unite our conference and deliver on our promises to the American people.”

Emmer, a former hockey coach, said being Whip is “the best coaching job I’ve ever had.”

After 15 rounds of voting to elect McCarthy as chairman during his first week in the role, Emmer said in May that he was ready to change minds within the GOP and bring members together to work together.

The Whip’s office also reportedly became a key gathering place for Republicans throughout the year grappling with internal divisions.

Rumors are circulating about a presidential candidacy

After the Republican conference voted Jordan out in a secret ballot Friday, several people offered to succeed McCarthy.

Emmer has reportedly made calls for a possible presidential run, according to a previous report from The Hill. If true, it is likely to become a favorite.

The Whip would be the highest-ranking lawmaker to claim the post, after Scalise steps down.

He has had leadership races in the past, which could help him land the gavel.

McCarthy supports him after Jordan’s failures

Before Emmer even officially stepped into the ring, he received a huge boost. McCarthy approved him as his successor.

“He is the right person for the job. He can unify the conference. He understands the dynamics of the conference,” McCarthy told Punchbowl News. “He also understands what it takes to win and maintain a majority.”

Emmer also received support from another GOP ally: Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.). Buck refused to support Jordan in the House, voting for Emmer instead.

But the race remains everyone’s business. MPs have until Sunday noon to submit their candidacy.