UPDATED 10/23/23
An up-north Michigan Republican is running for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a public statement sent Friday afternoon, Jack Bergman of Watersmeet said his hat is “officially in the ring,” after mentioning his interest in serving earlier this week.
His decision came after Ohio’s Jim Jordan lost a third vote for the position Friday morning with 25 Republicans rejecting him. The House is now going on three weeks without a speaker after Kevin McCarthy of California was ousted from the role on Oct. 5.
Bergman is a retired Marine lieutenant general who flew helicopters in Vietnam and has overseen Michigan’s largest congressional district, which includes the Upper Peninsula and much of the northern Lower Peninsula, since 2017.
In his statement, Bergman said he’s “not beholden to any faction of any party, and has gained respect in Congress as a leader – within the GOP conference and also among moderate Democrats.”
“The regular functioning of the federal government can’t wait on useless infighting and arguments,” Bergman said. “What matters right now is choosing a Speaker in order to make sure that our government — and particularly our military — is funded, and that both our homeland and our critical allies are secure in this time of crisis.”
If elected, Bergman would be the first House speaker from Michigan.
Scott Ladeur, professor of political science at North Central Michigan College, said the post could give Bergman opportunities to steer legislation in the state’s favor.
“What Bergman has in his advantage is that he put his name out a couple days ago, so he’s not a Johnny-come-lately to this,” Ladeur said. “As an older representative, he might be acceptable as a kind of transitional figure.
“And his military background certainly provides the respect – and maybe kind of authority – that the Republican Conference might need.”
However, Ladeur said, the acrimony among GOP members makes the race for the opening too unpredictable to call.
“The Republican party in the House is a coalition party. There are four or five factions who don’t trust one another. McCarthy was kind of the representative that could muster enough support for most of the factions, but not all,” Ledger said. “The question is, can Bergman unite all of these factions?”
“The power really seems to rest within the rank-and-file members of the Republican majority, who seem to be more than willing to cut the knees out from underneath their own leaders.”
Bergman’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but some of his opponents in the upcoming 2024 District 1 race have released statements.
Bob Lorinser, a Democrat from Marquette who lost to Bergman in 2022, said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that neither Jordan or Bergman are qualified for the role.
“Congress is a mess,” he wrote. “Clean it up and get back to work for the American people.”
Callie Barr, a new Democratic challenger from Traverse City, said Bergman was among Republicans who signed on to a Texas lawsuit that attempted, and ultimately failed, to undermine 2020 presidential election results.
She called him a divisive extremist who is only looking to pad his political resume. “This is not surprising to me as Rep. Bergman has demonstrated, time and time again, that he is more interested in Washington politics than serving his constituents,” Barr said.
At 8:30 p.m. Friday, Bergman’s office announced that Michigan Reps. John James, Tim Walberg, Lisa McClain, and John Moolenaar are endorsing his candidacy.
“Gen. Jack Bergman is the leader best suited to right the ship of the Republican Conference and help lead the House through the 118th Congress,” their statement said. “He isn’t seeking a long-term leadership post, but is willing to help build our Conference, pass critical legislation, and keep our commitment to the American people.
“We wholeheartedly endorse his race for Speaker and urge our colleagues to help us get the job done.”
Their statement notes that Bergman, who served 40 years in the Marine Corps, is the highest-ranking combat veteran ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
“Bergman brings an outsider perspective to leadership in Washington and has worked with members from all different walks of life to build coalitions and pass meaningful legislation,” they said.
But Bergman is not the only candidate who’s interested in the job.
According to reporting from The Hill, The Washington Post and The New York Times, U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer of Wisconsin (the No. 3 House Republican), Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Pete Sessions of Texas, Austin Scott of Georgia and Byron Donalds of Florida are among contenders.
Without a speaker, the House remains unable to respond to President Joe Biden’s request for $106 billion in national security funds, which includes military aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Representatives have until Sunday to declare their candidacy, after which a candidate forum is expected to take place Monday evening in Washington, D.C.
“What we need right now is a Speaker who has experience leading and can put ego aside to work together for the American people,” Bergman said. “We need a leader who shuns permanent power and recognizes the current crisis of leadership.
“I’m ready to serve. Together, we can end the deadlock and win the vote.”
