Pennsylvania Congressman Dan Meuser officially a candidate for House speaker

by morning call staff

Pennsylvania Congressman Dan Meuser, an ally of former President Donald Trump, is officially a candidate for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Meuser’s name was on a list of nine candidates for the job posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, by Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House Republican Conference chair. The Republicans had until noon Sunday to declare their candidacies.

Today at noon was the deadline for announced candidates for Speaker.

Official Announced Candidates to the House Republican Conference include:

Jack Bergman (MI)
Byron Donalds (FL)
Tom Emmer (MN)
Kevin Hern (OK)
Mike Johnson (LA)
Dan Meuser (PA)
Gary Palmer (AL)
Austin Scott…

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) October 22, 2023

Meuser, 59, lives in Luzerne County and represents the 9th Congressional District, which includes Schuylkill and part of Berks counties. In a text message last week to The Scranton Times-Tribune, Meuser said he would likely seek the job if Jim Jordan’s bid for the job fell through.

Republicans on Friday dropped Jordan as their nominee after he failed to get the majority of votes needed for the third time.

Meuser first hinted at seeking the job in an interview with National Review Online last Tuesday after the first vote on Jordan.

“Are you kidding? If we go back to it, I’m considering it because I’m not going to let this kindergarten continue. I’ll do it,” Meuser told the publication.

House Republicans are set to reconvene Monday, and will hold a third forum for speaker candidates.

The full list of speaker candidates: