New Speaker Johnson projects unity, expects 'aggressive' schedule

Nine Republicans are officially running for speaker after almost three weeks of chaos without a leader in the House. Now the candidates for speaker include: Reps. Jack Bergman of Michigan, Byron Donalds of Florida, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania, Gary Palmer of Alabama, Austin Scott of Georgia and Pete Sessions of Texas.

House Republicans will hear from each candidate in a closed-door forum on Monday night.

Read more about each candidate here.

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9 Republicans vying to become speaker amid historic gridlock in Congress

House Republicans will hear from each candidate behind closed doors before voting to select a nominee.

ABCNews.com

Former President Donald Trump has spoken to several of the candidates for speaker of the House including Reps. Tom Emmer, Kevin Hern, Pete Sessions and Byron Donalds, multiple sources tell ABC News.

While Trump insisted, he has "always" gotten along with Emmer, sources say the former president has privately told allies he does not support him. Trump has not endorsed Emmer for the top job in the House.

Emmer is one of two Republicans running for speaker who voted to certify the 2020 election results. Trump allies -- including Steve Bannon -- have called on Republicans to "take out Emmer."

So does Trump's endorsement have any weight behind it?

He supported Kevin McCarthy -- McCarthy was ousted. He supported Jim Jordan -- Jordan couldn't get enough support.

That's not a great track record so far. But in a bitterly divided conference, it doesn't help to have prominent right-wing figures attacking you with the former president's blessing either.

-ABC's Rachel Scott, Jay O'Brien, Benjamin Siegel

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has officially announced his bid for Speaker.

"I'm running for Speaker of the House to bring our conference together and get back to work," Emmer said on X.

Emmer (the No. 3 Republican) sent a Dear Colleague letter saying that the GOP conference remains at a "crossroads" and the "deck is stacked against us."

"Having had the privilege of getting to know all of you as your NRCC chair and as your majority whip, I know we are still ready for that fight," Emmer said about keeping the House majority.

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has already endorsed Emmer for the top job.

Emmer may appear to be the front-runner, but he has opposition from Trump world and the far-right, who say he has opposed their candidates in previous elections.

-ABC's Lauren Peller and Jay O'Brien

Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, whose name was previously floated for the job, told ABC News he will run for speaker at the candidate forum. Hern has served since 2018 and is the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative group in the House.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., when leaving the conference meeting told reporters it was "too soon" to say whether he would put his name forward. But three House Republicans have told ABC News that Emmer is making calls soliciting support for a bid.

Several other Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring: Florida's Byron Donalds, one of four Black House Republicans; Texas' Pete Sessions, the longest-tenured lawmaker to enter the race so far; Michigan's Jack Bergman, is a retired lieutenant general who served decades in the Marine Corps; Louisiana's Mike Johnson, the House Republican vice conference chair; and Georgia's Austin Scott, who sits seats on the Agriculture, Armed Services and the Intelligence committees.

-ABC's John Parkinson