House Republican divisions deepen, can't get 50 votes for new speaker

Despite spending more than four hours behind closed doors, House Republicans on Tuesday were unable to gather 50 votes to support a new speaker.

Deep divisions within the GOP caucus were on display as Rep. Ryan Smith of Bidwell got the majority of the votes but fell short of the 50 needed to be elected House speaker by the full chamber. That vote had been scheduled for Wednesday, but it was canceled Tuesday evening.

Smith, a three-term Republican from rural Gallia County, wants to replace Cliff Rosenberger, who abruptly resigned in mid-April amid an FBI probe into his overseas travel.

Rep. Kirk Schuring, R-Canton, dean of the caucus and the acting speaker, said he was heading back to his office to try to figure out a way to find 50 votes to support Smith, who was challenged by Reps. Dorothy Pelanda of Marysville and Andy Thompson of Marietta.

Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180515/house-republican-divisions-deepen-cant-get-50-votes-for-new-speaker