Representative Jordan, a hardline conservative, was formally nominated by a majority of his party last week but has faced significant challenges securing the necessary 217 Republican votes to claim the position. In the most recent House vote, more lawmakers from his party opposed his nomination than in the first vote, and a third vote is expected to take place on Thursday.
Miller-Meeks initially voted for Jordan but switched her allegiance to Representative Kay Granger, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, in a subsequent vote on Wednesday afternoon.
In response to her vote, Miller-Meeks reported in a statement that she had received “a barrage of threatening calls” and multiple death threats. She emphasized that law enforcement has been alerted, and her office fully cooperates in the investigation.
“One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully,” Miller-Meeks stated. “I did not stand for bullies before I voted for Chairwoman Granger and when I voted for Speaker designee Jordan, and I will not bend to bullies now.”
As of now, the sources of these threats remain unidentified.
In a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), Representative Jordan condemned the threats against his colleagues, asserting, “We condemn all threats against our colleagues, and we must come together. Stop. It’s abhorrent.”
Jordan has been grappling with a lack of support from moderates who question his understanding of their districts’ issues and others concerned about his ability to unite the party. Although Jordan has been described as courteous and kind in his conversations with lawmakers, some have expressed apprehension regarding the tactics used by his supporters.
“The last thing you want to do is try to intimidate or pressure me because then I close out entirely,” stated Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican who has refused to support Jordan, during a previous media briefing.