Hern is chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a large conservative group in the House. Amid McCarthy’s 15-ballot quest to become speaker in January, Hern was nominated for the speakership — to his surprise — by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who touted Hern as a “true consensus candidate” who could unite the Republican Party.
At the time, Hern appeared caught off guard and laughed at Boebert’s nomination. On Tuesday night, after McCarthy said he would not seek the speakership again, Hern sounded more open to the possibility.
“If I’m asked to run, then I’ll certainly look at it,” Hern told reporters.
He is scheduled to appear alongside Scalise and Jordan on a Fox News program on Monday that has been advertised as a discussion among speaker candidates.
