Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) is facing the outrage of conservatives everywhere after voting twice to deny Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) in his bid to become Speaker of the House.
After refusing to let go of Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-LA) failed speakership bid, Rep. Granger futilely voted for him again on the second round of balloting Wednesday.
“Steve Scalise is an honorable man and has earned my vote for Speaker,” Granger wrote on X. “This was a vote of conscience and I stayed true to my principles. Intimidation and threats will not change my position.”
Granger was likely referring to an all-out push by grassroots activists like Glenn Beck and others as they melted the phone lines of Congress urging holdouts to back Jordan. The number of Republican dissidents grew from 20 in the first round to 22 in the second.
The Daily Caller compiled a list of the most brutal takedowns by conservative activists who accused the Texas Republican of siding with Democrats to sow disarray.
“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,” Rogan O’Handley wrote on X.
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
Rich Woman North of Richmond ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/QH7H1917Pe
— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) October 18, 2023
Republican congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini kept it simple, calling Granger a “dumba**” for her vote.
You are a dumbass
— Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) October 18, 2023
Lots of X users, including some from Granger’s home state, promised to support a more conservative candidate in next year’s Republican primary.
I’m a Texan who votes, Kay Granger you’ve been in politics far too long, time you are replaced by someone who listens to their constituents & not their high dollar donors & lobbyists #PrimaryThemALL #SpeakerOfTheHouse
— OrgConservAmericans (@OCAmericans) October 18, 2023
Primary time! pic.twitter.com/JlZ6n2mNKc
— Stacy Phillips🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@1stacyphillips) October 19, 2023
“I am from Texas, Mrs. Granger. While I respect your principles, I think you should stand behind the majority and unify,” one user wrote. Another replied, “I am so tired of all of you toddlers. It’s not daycare. Get back to work. Vote for one speaker now.”
I am from Texas, Mrs. Granger. While I respect your principles, I think you should stand behind the majority and unify.
— Eliza (@elizachanteuse) October 18, 2023
I am so tired of all of you toddlers. It’s not daycare. Get back to work. Vote for one speaker now.
— Christine Franklin (@ChrisCat1964) October 18, 2023
Even pleas from former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) could not cajole the Republican holdouts from backing Jordan, whom they feared would cost them their seats across districts that were carried by President Joe Biden in 2020. Some of the more prominent opponents such as Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) joined catcalls from Democrats in referring to Jordan as an insurrectionist.
Rep. Jordan has pledged to stay in the fight, telling reporters Wednesday that two rounds of voting are far short of the 15 endured by McCarthy to secure the post back in January.