Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is campaigning to be the next speaker of the House.
Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the House Freedom Caucus, sent a Wednesday letter expressing his intention to GOP colleagues.
"We are at a critical crossroad in our nation's history," Jordan wrote in the letter he shared on social media platform X. "Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans. The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions. But no natter what what we do, we must do it together as a conference. I respectfully ask for your support for the Speaker of the House of Representatives."
Jordan became the first House member officially to declare his interest in replacing former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was removed from office in a Tuesday vote.
"I think the key is uniting the conference," Jordan said while leaving the speaker's office, temporarily occupied by Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., The Messenger reported. "I've had a lot of people reach out to us, asking me to do it because they think we can ... I think I can."
Jordan, an ally of McCarthy and former President Donald Trump, voted against the "motion to vacate" that was brought forth by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in an effort to remove the speaker.
When The Messenger asked how much early support his campaign had garnered, Jordan said: "Based on the text messages and phone calls I've got, it seems strong."
At least one House conservative held back from supporting Jordan's candidacy.
"Jim is a friend, and I certainly think he brings a whole lot that this conference would be able to rally around, but we've got to all have a conversation and I'm not going to say who I'm supporting at this point," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, also a member of the House Freedom Caucus, Politico reported.
"We're going to figure this out behind closed doors as a family."
Jordan was asked if he would want to change the rule that allows just one lawmaker to trigger a motion to vacate the speakership.
"I haven't talked about that," Jordan said, The Messenger reported. "This is up to the conference."
As Judiciary Committee chair, Jordan has run hearings investigating the Department of Justice and FBI regarding weaponization of the government and failure to sufficiently probe first son Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings.
Jordan also has been assisting the Oversight and Accountability Committee in its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden's alleged influence peddling in Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings.
Reports after McCarthy's ouster centered on Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., trying to gauge support for the speakership. However, the 57-year-old Scalise, who is said to be well-liked in Congress, announced six weeks ago that he is seeking treatment for blood cancer.