“Woke” AOC Criticizes Only Black GOP House Member Running For Speaker

On Tuesday Congressman Jim Jordan failed to secure the 217 votes, on the first ballot, needed to win the Speakership. Twenty GOP representatives voted against the Freedom Caucus member and MAGA favorite.

On Friday, it went worse for Jordan as 25 RINOs voted against him in the third ballot.

The Republicans then voted against Jordan via secret ballot in a private meeting Friday by a wide margin, with 122 members of the GOP conference voting to remove him and only 86 voting to keep him as their nominee and speaker designate, according to multiple reports.

The caucus decided to allow those interested in running to officially throw their hat in the ring before Monday when the House convenes again.

In total, nine GOP Reps announced they are running for Speaker: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Republican Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, RSC Chair Kevin Hern (Okla.), Reps. Byron Donalds (Fla.), Austin Scott (Ga.), Jack Bergman (Mich.), Pete Sessions (Texas), Gary Palmer (Ala.) and Dan Meuser (Pa.)

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) of New York responded to the news that Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who in the only “person of color ” running, by mocking his bid to become the new House speaker.

“Donalds has only served 1 full term in the House. His most recent work involved submitting falsified evidence in an impeachment investigation. These people are not serious,” tweeted Ocasio-Cortez, who is currently serving her third term in office.

Donalds has only served 1 full term in the House. His most recent work involved submitting falsified evidence in an impeachment investigation.

These people are not serious. ???? https://t.co/SF7EVaYylU

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 20, 2023

Donalds had voted for Jordan, an Ohio Republican, during all three rounds of balloting this week. But in each round, Jordan  support declined leaving him no realistic path to secure the speakership.

“TONIGHT, I AM ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY FOR SPEAKER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MY SOLE FOCUS WILL BE SECURING OUR BORDER, FUNDING OUR GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLY, ADVANCING A CONSERVATIVE VISION FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND EXPANDING OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY,” Donalds said in a statement.

“UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, THE HOUSE WILL LEAD THE CHARGE TO ADVANCE A SIMPLE OBJECTIVE: PUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST, KEEP THEM SAFE, AND MAKE THEIR LIVES EASIER,” he noted. “I LOOK FORWARD TO SECURING THE VOTES OF A MAJORITY OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPEAKER, THE FIRST SPEAKER FROM THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE 118TH CONGRESS.”

Tonight, I am announcing my candidacy for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/1wSwQYqoX2

— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) October 20, 2023

Unlike AOC, some fellow representatives announced they will be supporting Donalds.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, who did not back Jordan during the three votes this week, has thrown his support behind Donalds. “@ByronDonalds is an honorable leader and respected by the entire conference. That is why it is a privilege to endorse Byron for speaker,” he tweeted.

. @ByronDonalds is an honorable leader and respected by the entire conference. That is why it is a privilege to endorse Byron for speaker.

— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) October 20, 2023

Rep. Carlo Gimenez, Who Voted Against Jim Jordan, Endorses Byron Donalds for House Speaker.

“As a fellow Floridian and as an America First Republican, I am proud to endorse my friend and colleague Byron Donalds for Speaker of the House. Byron is the present & future of our movement — he’s the conservative leader we need to unite us as Republicans.”

????NEW: As a fellow Floridian and as an America First Republican, I am proud to endorse my friend and colleague Byron Donalds for Speaker of the House.

Byron is the present & future of our movement — he’s the conservative leader we need to unite us as Republicans. pic.twitter.com/tlHfpbVkfo

— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) October 22, 2023