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After five rounds of voting, the House GOP has selected Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.), who bested eight other candidates, as its new speaker nominee.
The final vote came down to Emmer and conference vice chair Mike Johnson (La.). Emmer defeated Johnson 117 to 97, with five voting “other”, and one voting present.
He’s now the conference’s third nominee, following Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.) and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (Ohio).
Emmer is not without controversy. He backed Democrats’ so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” last year, which codified same-sex marriage into law. As such, he might have a tough time gaining the conservative support he desperately needs to take up the gavel.