Staff Reports
Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) is causing quite a stir among conservatives with her recent decision to vote against Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) in his bid to become Speaker of the House. This move has left many conservatives outraged and questioning Granger’s loyalty to the party.
Despite Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-LA) unsuccessful speakership bid, Granger continued to support him, voting for him again on the second round of balloting. While Granger claims that her vote was based on conscience and principles, many conservatives see this as a betrayal to the party and a refusal to listen to the voices of the grassroots activists who have been advocating for Jordan.
Grassroots activists like Glenn Beck and others have been working tirelessly, flooding the phone lines of Congress to show their support for Jordan. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the number of Republican dissidents grew from 20 to 22 between the first and second round of voting. This shows that there is a significant wave of support for Jordan among conservatives, and Granger’s decision to vote against him is seen as siding with Democrats and causing disarray within the party.
Why do the Swamp 22 keep crying about “intimidation” tactics?!
We’re literally just telling you what voters want
Stop acting like the victim now that voters are calling you out for backstabbing them in exchange for lobbyist money https://t.co/24IRLzSSED
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) October 18, 2023
Conservative activists have been quick to criticize Granger’s actions, accusing her of backstabbing voters and prioritizing lobbyist money over the wishes of the American people. Voices like Rogan O’Handley and Republican congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini have used harsh language to condemn Granger’s vote, with Sabatini even going as far as calling her a “dumba**.” These reactions reflect the frustration felt by many conservatives who feel let down by Granger’s decision.
The backlash against Granger doesn’t stop there. Many users on social media, including constituents from her own state of Texas, have expressed their disappointment and vowed to support a more conservative candidate in the upcoming Republican primary. These individuals believe that Granger should have stood behind the majority and worked towards unification within the party, rather than going against the wishes of the grassroots.
Even former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) tried to convince the holdouts to support Jordan, but his efforts fell flat. Some Republicans feared that backing Jordan would cost them their seats in districts that were carried by President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. This fear, coupled with the name-calling and accusations of being an insurrectionist, led to a clear divide within the party.
Despite the pushback, Representative Jordan remains steadfast in his fight for the speakership. He has pointed out that two rounds of voting are nothing compared to the 15 endured by McCarthy earlier this year. It will be interesting to see how this division within the Republican Party plays out and what it means for the future of conservative leadership.
