GOP fundraisers fear that 'flame-thrower' Jim Jordan will doom them in crucial 2024 swing districts

17 October 2023

U.S. House Republicans in swing districts that President Joe Biden won in 2020 find themselves between a rock and a hard place as far-right Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) tries to secure the votes needed to become House speaker. And GOP strategists, according to CNN, are worried about their fundraising abilities in "purple districts" if Jordan is chosen as speaker.

On one hand, the pressure to vote for Jordan is intense. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Missouri), on October 12, told NBC News' Scott Wong, she was a "hell no" on Jordan." But after being attacked as a RINO (Republican in Name Only) by MAGA Republicans and being threatened with a primary challenge for 2024, Wagner caved in and, on October 16, announced that she would vote to make Jordan speaker.

But on the other hand, being tagged as pro-Jordan could be a major liability in swing districts in 2024 — and Republican fundraisers are worried.

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In an article published on October 16, CNN journalists Melanie Zanona and Annie Grayer report, "Several Republican lawmakers, aides and operatives told CNN they worry Jordan's brand of flame-throwing politics — and his role trying to help Donald Trump overturn the 2020 election — could be a liability in key swing districts and turn off major donors. One GOP fundraiser, who has raised money for past Republican speakers, told CNN that they have vowed not to raise money for Jordan if he becomes the speaker."

Zanona and Grayer add, "The fundraiser also said multiple GOP donors have indicated that they wouldn't cut big checks for the party and would rather invest in trying to flip the Senate than take a bet on the House, which they see as a far riskier proposition if Jordan is holding the gavel."

The reporters note that Jordan "has been working to allay concerns from the more establishment wing of the GOP about how his speakership could hinder their ability to raise campaign cash and keep the House majority next year."

A GOP lawmaker described by Zanon and Grayer as "on the fence" about Jordan told CNN, "It's a genuine concern he doesn't play well in purple districts."

Jordan, according to the CNN reporters, "has worked to assuage" such "concerns in private conversations with holdouts." But Democrats, they note, "are already preparing for how to frame a Jordan speakership to their advantage going into next year's midterms."

"The House Democratic campaign arm has been sending out news releases highlighting the House Republicans who represent moderate or swing districts that are backing Jordan," Zanon and Grayer report. "And a Democratic-aligned outside group, Congressional Integrity Project, launched a new digital ad on Monday in the 18 districts that Republicans represent that President Joe Biden also won, highlighting Jordan's role attempting to help Trump overturn the 2020 election."

CNN's full report is available at this link.

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