Speaker of the House vote: What to know about Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan

The Republican Party has nominated native Ohioan and longtime politician Jim Jordan for one of the top jobs in Congress.

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of his role Oct. 3 when he brokered a deal with Democrats to avoid a shutdown and fund the federal government for 45 days. Some Republicans were angry he compromised with their political adversaries, and Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida pushed a vote to remove him.

That could end on Tuesday as House lawmakers hold a vote at noon to for a new speaker. While Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has served as speaker pro tempore, it's not a role that has the same powers as the official leader.

House Republicans nominated Jordan, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, to the speakership last week. But Jordan's chances of earning 217 votes – the magic number needed to become speaker – are unclear. Democrats aren't expected to lend their GOP colleagues any support, so Republicans will have to figure out a way to coalesce around their next speaker.

5 takeaways: McCarthy ousted as speaker by right-wing rebellion

Known as a staunch political ally to former president Donald Trump, Jordan has cultivated national popularity as a conservative firebrand. Since 2007 he has represented Ohio's 4th Congressional District, north of Columbus.

Under his leadership, the House Judiciary Committee has launched investigations into Hunter Biden, the FBI and prosecutors that brought charges against Trump.

Jordan is one of the few key lawmakers spearheading House Republicans' impeachment inquiry into Biden. He did not vote to certify President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election.

Jordan also co-founded the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, having served as the group's first chair, and has in the past been a thorn in the sides of GOP leadership, including former Speaker John Boehner, also of Ohio.

Here are some things to know about Jim Jordan and his Ohio roots.

Lawmaker born and raised in Ohio

Jordan was born and raised in Champaign County, Ohio. He is a 1982 graduate of Graham High School in St. Paris, a village of about 1,900 that sits between Dayton and Columbus.

College wrestling champion before entering politics

As a high school athlete, Jordan obtained four state titles in wrestling with a career record of 150-1, according to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He wrestled for the University of Wisconsin from 1982 to 1986, where he was a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA champion. A notable win in 1985 was when Jordan beat eventual six-time world and Olympic champion John Smith in the finals.

Degrees from Ohio State University, Capital University

Jordan holds three degrees. Two of them came from universities in Ohio.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in economics, he continued his studies at two institutions in Columbus. He obtained a master's in education from Ohio State University and a law degree from Capital University.

Coached for Ohio State wrestling amid Strauss abuse allegations

A former Ohio State wrestling team captain spoke to Congress in 2020 about Dr. Richard Strauss who allegedly abused the university's wrestlers between 1979 and 1997. Jordan had been an assistant coach from 1986 to 1994.

The former team captain told lawmakers that Jordan knew of the abuse and tried to get him to join in the cover-up.

“Jim Jordan called me crying, groveling, begging me to go against my brother, begging me, crying for a half-hour. That’s the kind of cover-up that’s going on there," Adam DiSabato told members of the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee about a conversation the congressman and he had July 24, 2018.

Jordan has denied this.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Jim Jordan? Vote held Tuesday for House speaker