Who is Austin Scott, the Georgia Republican who didn’t secure the GOP speakership nomination?

By Better Today On Oct 13, 2023

TL/DR –

Republican Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia lost the GOP’s nomination for House speaker to Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio in a 124-81 vote. Following the vote, Scott announced that he was dropping out of the race and endorsing Jordan. Scott had entered the race after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise dropped out and had declared his intent to lead a House that works in the best interest of the American people.

Georgia Republican Rep. Austin Scott Loses House Speaker Nomination to Rep. Jim Jordan

Georgia-based Republican Rep. Austin Scott entered the House speaker race following the withdrawal of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise only to lose the GOP’s nomination to Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan emerged as the winner with a 124-81 vote on Friday.

Scott announced his resignation from the race and publicly endorsed Jordan post-vote. He stressed the importance of unity within the party, stating that party members should rally behind the elected candidate.

Scott voiced his intention to run for the speakership on a Friday post on X, emphasizing his desire to lead the House to function optimally for the American people.

Scott, a strong ally of ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, elaborated on the reason for his candidacy, arguing that the conference needed to act in the right way. However, he confessed that he had no plans of running until the day of his announcement.

The seven-term representativeexpressed his frustration with the GOP’s inability to elect a new speaker, asserting that it was making them appear “like a bunch of idiots.”

Jordan and Scott both aimed to secure the speaker’s gavel after McCarthy was ousted and declined to run again. Scalise dropped out of the race after failing to garner sufficient support from House Republicans. Despite Jordan receiving the GOP’s nomination, it’s unclear if he can secure enough votes in the full House vote.

Scott has been a staunch defender of McCarthy, criticizing Republicans who voted him out. He insisted that those who supported the move to remove McCarthy as Speaker were jeopardizing the GOP and boosting the Democratic Party.

Prior to his political career, Scott graduated from the University of Georgia with a business administration degree and operated an insurance brokerage firm for 20 years. He started his political journey in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1997 and moved to Congress in 2011. He currently represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District and serves on various committees.