Democrat Rep Marcy Kaptur Could be a ‘Scab’ and Vote for Kevin McCarthy if They Reach Out to Her

As 20 and possibly 21 Republicans plan to stand against U.S. House Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) speakership bid, moderates and Democrats are getting anxious. U.S. House Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) is hinting she may flip from voting for Hakeem Jeffries to Kevin McCarthy.

McCarthy would need more than her though, so Kaptur’s idea will have to be contagious. Taylor Popielarz reported on all this yesterday, although things have not gotten any better for McCarthy today.

“I asked Ohio @RepMarcyKaptur (D) if there’s any scenario where she’d support fellow Ohio Rep. @Jim_Jordan (R) for Speaker: “I’ve never seen him be a voice for Ohio…He operates theoretically, in space that doesn’t yield anything for his district or anything for the state.”

Ohio @RepMarcyKaptur (D) when I asked about a potential unity candidate for Speaker: “I was thinking today…I wish I could be part of some kind of a unity caucus that would yield [McCarthy] the votes, b/c the Republicans hold a majority, & maybe put us in a special category…”

Ohio @RepMarcyKaptur (D) when I asked about a potential unity candidate for Speaker:

"I was thinking today…I wish I could be part of some kind of a unity caucus that would yield [McCarthy] the votes, b/c the Republicans hold a majority, & maybe put us in a special category…" pic.twitter.com/CL7tGnhixM

— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) January 4, 2023

"I think that the Republican Party should’ve had its act together and taken care of that behind closed doors."

That's what Ohio @RepMarcyKaptur (D) told me of today's failed Speaker vote.

The longest-serving woman in congressional history (40 years) called it "quite unusual." pic.twitter.com/PM1WCQHEyZ

— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) January 4, 2023

Kaptur was recently reelected after running against J.R. Majewski. She is exemplifying the situation of how congressmen and women really don’t know what to do with the U.S. House Speakership standoff. McCarthy and others may be ordering lots more pizza if something doesn’t surface as a solid plan soon.

Democrats are salivating at the idea of working with McCarthy to get more than they would have if he would step down and let Andy Biggs, Jim Jordan, or Byron Donalds be speaker. Ultimately it will be McCarthy’s fault as he has not found enough favor with the Republican party to bring them together. Instead, things seem to continue to keep falling apart.

Read more for the latest:

GOP Rep Ken Buck Appears to be on the Fence About McCarthy, Tells Jake Tapper to ‘Stay Tuned’ On His Future Voting Plans Beyond the Fifth Round