Yoho Predicts Boehner Loss On First Ballot As South Carolina’s Jeff Duncan Joins The Charge

Gage Skidmore / Flickr
Gage Skidmore / Flickr

Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL), one of the Republican alternatives to John Boehner for Speaker, tells Breitbart News he predicts Boehner will not win re-election on the first ballot in the speakership election coming shortly after noon on Tuesday.

Yoho says he’s hearing an outpouring of support from members conference-wide.

“There will be more against the Speaker,” Yoho replied when asked if more than 29 Republicans will vote for a Republican alternative to Boehner. “I’m telling you this is not something that just happened. This is something that people talked about, that we’ve got to have a new speaker. I’ve talked to members who have been here for 20 years who think they’re great guys but think we need to have great leadership. If you believe in that, this is your opportunity.”

When further asked if Boehner won’t be re-elected on the first ballot at least, Yoho replied: “Yes, sir.” This is the first public prediction that Boehner could be forced to, at least, a second ballot.

Yoho’s interview came as South Carolina’s Rep. Jeff Duncan added his voice, announcing via Facebook he’s voting for a Republican alternative to Boehner:

Over the past few years, I’ve had numerous conversations with constituents regarding the direction of the country. Voters and Members of Congress alike are outraged by a President who acts as if he’s above the law, yet not enough is done to stop him. What President Obama is doing through executive actions and new regulations is unprecedented. These actions deserve the strongest possible response from Congress. The historic 2014 elections created a new sense of optimism and, along with it, an opportunity for us to get our nation back on track while holding the President accountable. Americans sent a clear message: they are fed up with business as usual in Washington. A fresh start often requires change, and I believe that change should start with the election of a new Speaker. This wasn’t a recent or hasty decision, nor was it one that I reached without a lot of prayer, reflection and listening. I believe a new Speaker of the House would send the signal to the American people that we’re hearing their concerns while also letting the President know that Congress is committed to upholding the rule of law. It’s time for Congress act boldly and to unabashedly defend the Constitution of the United States and promote an agenda of limited government, free markets, and individual liberty.

It’s unclear exactly what will happen on the floor, but the anti-Boehner group is gaining steam in the final push. But as Politico notes, Boehner may benefit from Democratic absences due to former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s funeral in New York.

“At least 12 House Democrats will be in Manhattan attending Mario Cuomo’s funeral Tuesday in Manhattan,” Politico writes. “Another ‘handful’ of Democrats are already planning to skip the vote, and that number could grow much larger, according to Democratic insiders. But every Democrat who skips the speaker vote helps lower the threshold for Boehner to be reelected.”

A narrow Boehner victory would raise questions about his legitimacy, especially within the conservative movement.

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