In House speaker search, Minnesota's Tom Emmer could be top contender

[MUSIC PLAYING] CATHY WURZER: Our top story, members of Congress are back in Washington today, where the US House remains gridlocked. It's been almost three weeks since the chamber was thrown into disarray when a set of Republicans joined Democrats in removing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Two high profile Republicans failed to win the speakership, so now nine Republicans say they will go for the job.

Minnesota's Tom Emmer is seen as a top contender, so we have sent MPR correspondent, Mark Zdechlik, to Washington as it all unfolds and he's on the line. Hey, Mark.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Hey Cathy.

CATHY WURZER: OK, what has the House so tied up in knots?

MARK ZDECHLIK: Cathy, it's the same core group of Republicans that ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And as you noted on the way in that was about almost three weeks ago, tomorrow marks three weeks on that. This is a far-right flank of the GOP lawmakers, including Congressman Matt Gaetz. He was the one who rallied to oust McCarthy three weeks ago almost, even though there was no plan for what would come next. The problem, Cathy, is indicative of a bigger struggle within the Republican Party about how to govern, what to do about federal spending, and how closely to align with former President Donald Trump.

CATHY WURZER: So I'm wondering here, any sense that this latest round of jockeying is going to be any different from the first few.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Well, as time marches on, this is a growing problem, political problem for Republicans. Most agree that every day the Republican-led House is without a leader is a bad day for Republicans. They won the majority from Democrats in the last election and they've demonstrated to the American people that they themselves struggle to govern. So this is a problem for Republicans. This can't continue indefinitely.

There are major domestic and international issues to address, at the least of which is the unfolding situation in the Middle East, and also the November deadline to fund the federal government here. Republicans know they need resolve the infighting. This new slate of nine candidates, including Representative Tom Emmer sort of resets the debate, but whether any of the contenders can actually muster enough support to win the speakership, that's the real question at hand.

CATHY WURZER: Sure. Sure. Let's talk about Tom Emmer, Minnesota's Sixth District congressman. Why is he viewed as one of the favorites?

MARK ZDECHLIK: Well, first off, he's the highest ranking candidate in the mix. He's what's called the House Majority Whip, that's the third most powerful position in the House. He's used to counting votes and kind of getting Republicans in line. That's his job. So Emmer has that going for him. He also knows many fellow members better than most. He led the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee for a few years. And in that role, he helped recruit and elect Republicans to take the majority. So he knows a lot of these people.

He also has the backing of former Speaker McCarthy, but that Cathy, as you know, could play both ways. Some might choose not to support him because of that for others, that McCarthy support might be a disqualification. Some might like it, I don't know, we'll have to wait and see.

CATHY WURZER: OK. So he has some things going for him, but he's got some challenges too.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Yeah. A potential problem for him could be former President Donald Trump who's reportedly not supportive of him. Trump looms large here, and if the Speaker vote turns out to be a referendum on Trump, that would stand not to bode well for Emmer. What has Emmer done to upset Trump, you're asking maybe? Well, Emmer unlike rather many Republicans voted to certify the election Trump's claims to have won, and it apparently doesn't matter to Trump that Emmer backed him in his two prior White House bids.

CATHY WURZER: Remind us a little bit of how Tom Emmer got to where he is in Washington.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Minnesotans that follow politics started hearing about Tom Emmer when he was in the state legislature. He then ran a very high-profile campaign for governor in 2010, but narrowly lost to a Democrat Mark Dayton. Emmer returned to politics in 2014, getting elected to the seat Michele Bachmann left open when she chose not to run again. Emmer has risen quickly among the ranks of House Republicans, and here we are now with the possibility of him actually becoming the speaker.

CATHY WURZER: So I know we sent you out on a plane late yesterday, have you had a chance to catch up with Congressman Emmer yet?

MARK ZDECHLIK: Well, sort of indirectly. I spoke with someone from his office this morning, and they were unable to give me any information on what he's doing. MPR certainly has been reaching out to the congressman and we will hear from him I expect at some point, but he's busy. Busy now trying to rally support for his bid to become the next speaker. That's job number one right now for Emmer and the people that are backing this effort, so that rather understandably is what he's focusing on.

CATHY WURZER: This would be, of course, a huge step forward professionally for Tom Emmer if he can pull this off.

MARK ZDECHLIK: Well, I mean, talk about a rapid rise, and potentially this beautiful cap for a political recovery for Emmer. Remember, he wasn't even in Congress 10 years ago. No Minnesotan has ever ascended to this high of a position in Congress. The speaker is near the top of the line of presidential succession. Should anything happen to the president and vice president, speaker's next. Democrats lead the Senate and the White House Republicans only have the House, making the speaker role even more important as it's right now the highest ranking Republican in the federal government. So it's a big deal.

CATHY WURZER: I've lost track of where we are in terms of the vote. Will there be meetings today?

MARK ZDECHLIK: Yes, there's supposed to be a private meeting this evening that will not be open to people like me that will be a closed meeting just for members of the caucus. At some point in the next couple of days, the party hopes to settle on a nominee and take that to the floor for a public roll call vote.

But Cathy, there could be multiple ballots both private in those caucus meetings and also on the floor. It's been messy thus far, and I don't see any reason to think it is going to stay that way for a little while longer. But if this new slate of candidates mixes things up, who knows?

CATHY WURZER: OK. So what are other house Republicans from Minnesota saying about Tom Emmer?

MARK ZDECHLIK: First term Representative Brad Finstad of Southern Minnesota was the first Republican in the delegation to endorse Emmer. Over the weekend, he put out a statement saying he's known Emmer since they were in the legislature together and he considers Emmer a mentor. He also talked about the need for Congress to get moving again.

Representative Pete Stauber, who represents Northeastern Minnesota has also come out for Emmer. Stauber was a lone member of the delegation to break from Ohio's Jim Jordan when Jordan was the speaker nominee. We haven't yet heard, Cathy, from Michelle Fischbach who represents Northwestern Minnesota.

CATHY WURZER: So I'm wondering, do you think that Tom Emmer could pick up some votes from Democrats?

MARK ZDECHLIK: I think it's pretty unlikely. Minnesota DFL Chair, Ken Martin, told MPR News over the weekend that Democrats don't plan to vote for Emmer, and instead are backing one of their own Democrat Hakeem Jeffries as their pick. But Emmer did get some encouragement from a Minnesota Democrat, Dean Phillips, said on X, formerly Twitter, and I'm quoting, "It would be great to have a Minnesotan serve as Speaker of the House. If GOP majority Whip Tom Emmer becomes a GOP nominee, I invite him to work with Democrats on a bipartisan path to end the nonsense and reform the House so it starts working for people," end quote.

Also, remember that Emmer voted to certify the 2020 election. That could make him more tolerable to Democrats than many other Republicans who want the speaker's job. We'll just have to see how it plays out.

CATHY WURZER: So Mark, I'm glad you brought up Dean Phillips because it could be a big week for him too as many people know he has been making noises about running against Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries and the deadline to file in the New Hampshire primary is Friday. So do we really know what he's planning on doing?

MARK ZDECHLIK: Cathy, if it weren't for this trip out to DC regarding the speakership, I would be pounding the pavement right now trying to work that story. It really looks like he's laying the groundwork for a possible launch, several report launch rather. Several reports say the announcement will be made in New Hampshire on Friday, but he could change his mind. And it's really important to note that he's under a huge amount of pressure from Democrats, including some in Minnesota to steer clear of challenging Biden.

Some Democrats are absolutely furious with him for even bringing up the possibility that Biden might be vulnerable in a re-election campaign. Phillips says he thinks it's time for new leaders, and that his party should welcome not shy away from competition. But if he does this running against an incumbent from his own party, that would be very, very difficult and we'll have to just see how this develops. So a lot going on this week in Minnesota politics on the national level.

CATHY WURZER: Well, we're glad you're covering it, Mark Zdechlik. Thank you.

MARK ZDECHLIK: You're welcome. Have a good day, Cathy. CATHY WURZER: You too. Mark Zdechlik is an MPR correspondent for our politics team. He's going to be in Washington this week. He is going to bring us any and all updates. As soon as that speaker is chosen-- whenever that is-- we will have special coverage live on the air.