In a surprise turn of events, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has dropped out of the race for House speaker just hours after winning the nomination on a secret ballot. Emmer's withdrawal marks the third failed attempt by House Republicans to find a successor for ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Emmer, currently serving as the House GOP whip, faced the same challenges as his predecessors in convincing enough members to support his bid for speaker.

With holdouts from the conservative hardliners within the party, Emmer was unable to secure the necessary backing to win the vote on the House floor. This situation has left the House in a state of legislative gridlock, as without a speaker in place, important legislation for providing aid to Israel and Ukraine and funding the government past Nov. 17 cannot move forward. The House requires a majority vote of roughly 217 to elect a speaker. Emmer's candidacy encountered opposition due to his perceived lack of alignment and embrace from former President Donald Trump.

Only two candidates, including Emmer, voted to certify the 2020 election results, which has drawn criticism from the more conservative factions within the party. Furthermore, Trump himself took to his social media platform to label Emmer as a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and criticized his alleged disconnect with Republican voters. Trump's influence and the opposition from the far-right have presented significant challenges for Emmer's candidacy. With Emmer's withdrawal, eight members remain in the race for House speaker. These include Jack Bergman, Byron Donalds, Tom Emmer, Mike Johnson, Kevin Hern, Gary Palmer, Austin Scott, and Pete Sessions.

The upcoming secret ballot election on Tuesday will determine the next steps in the selection process. The House Republicans' ongoing struggle to nominate a speaker highlights the fracturing within the party and the urgent need for unity. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., introduced a Unity Pledge calling for members to support the eventual nominee. However, the pledge has yet to gain traction, and a breakdown in the traditional process of selecting a speaker has occurred.

As Republicans regroup and prepare for another round of nominations, the question remains: can they find a candidate who can secure the necessary 217 votes and bring the party together for effective leadership in the House? The next steps in the selection process remain uncertain, and it is clear that the unity pledge will be a crucial factor in moving forward.