Florida Congressman Byron Donalds has announced he is running to become the first African American speaker of the House. 

The politician, 44, who endorsed Donald Trump’s 2024 White House bid, shared news of his candidacy on X (formerly twitter) on Friday.

‘I look forward to securing the votes of a majority of my Republican colleagues to become the first African-American Speaker, the first Speaker from the great state of Florida and the next Speaker of the 118th Congress,’ he said. 

It comes after Republicans voted out Jim Jordan as their House speaker nominee after he tried – and failed – three times to capture enough support to become GOP leader.

There has been a struggle as to who should lead the House of Representatives after Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a historic vote on October 3.

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds has announced he is running to become the first African American speaker of the House

The politician, 44, who endorsed Donald Trump ‘s 2024 White House bid, shared news of his candidacy on X on Friday

It comes after Republicans voted out Jim Jordan as their House speaker nominee after he tried – and failed – three times to capture enough support to become GOP leader

Donalds’ office confirmed his candidacy on Friday evening and shared a statement from the politician on X. 

‘Tonight I am announcing my candidacy for speaker of the US House of Representatives,’ he said. 

‘My sole focus will be securing our border, funding our government responsibly, advancing a conservative vision for the House of Representative and the American people and expanding our Republican majority.

‘As a member of this conference, I’ve seen firsthand the devotion of my colleagues to improving the lives of their constituents and the future of America.

‘We come from different walks of life but share the common pursuit of a more perfect union. 

‘As speaker, every voice in our conference will have a seat at the table to ensure our unity and consensus on the legislative battles we face.’

He continued: ‘Under my leadership, the House will lead the charge to advance a simple objective: Put the American people first, keep them safe and make their lives easier.

‘Titles aren’t given. They’re earned.’ 

The announcement came after Jordan was dropped as the Republicans nominee for House speaker after failing to capture enough votes for a third time. 

Donalds’ office confirmed his candidacy on Friday evening and shared a statement from the politician on X

There has been a struggle as to who should lead the House of Representatives after Republican Kevin McCarthy (pictured) was ousted in a historic vote on October 3. 

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He was ousted in a closed-door vote 86-112 Friday afternoon. The House recessed following the vote and will not be back until 6pm ET on Monday for a new candidate forum.

Jordan supporters decried that the vote had happened on a blind ballot – meaning Jordan and his allies do not get to see who voted him down.

The House has gone 17 days without a speaker and is paralyzed and unable to do business with less than a month until the government shuts down again.

‘I told the conference it was an honor to be their speaker designee. But I felt it was important that we all — we all know an answer to the question, do they want me to continue in that in that role. And so we put the question to them they made a decision,’ Jordan said after the meeting where the vote was held.

‘I’m also going to go back to work. We got we got several depositions lined up next week in the Judiciary Committee,’ he went on. ‘But it’s important we do unite. Let’s — let’s figure out who that individual is, get behind him and get to work for the American people.’

Immediately after the vote Republicans were at the starting line eager to jump into the running for the House’s top job.

Whip Tom Emmer, the House’s number three Republican, is making calls to other members to tell them he will be running for the job, a source familiar told DailyMail.com.

McCarthy endorsed Emmer for the job. ‘He is the right person for the job. He can unite the conference. He understands the dynamics of the conference.’

Representatives Kevin Hern, chair of the Republican Study Committee, Georgia Republican Austin Scott and Michigan Republican Jack Bergman have said they are running for the job – as has GOP conference vice chair Mike Johnson and Texas Representative Pete Sessions.

Steve Scalise, who was the favorite to become the next Republican speaker of the House, sensationally dropped out of the race on October 12 

The House is currently led by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, who has little power to bring up legislation on the House floor, and he has reportedly threatened to quit

Representative Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chair of the Budget Committee is also considering a run, as is Homeland Security Chair Mark Green and Texas GOP Representative Roger Williams. 

Steve Scalise, who was the favorite to become the next Republican speaker of the House, sensationally dropped out of the race on October 12.

He had won an election among members of his party to be their nominee for speaker after McCarthy was spectacularly ousted from the role.

But with Republicans’ narrow majority Scalise could only afford to lose the support of four members of his own party in a vote by the whole House to confirm him as speaker.

Around 20 of his Republican colleagues indicated they would oppose him if a full House vote was held, so he withdrew.

It shows the disarray among House Republicans has no end in sight more than two weeks after McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be ousted.

The House is currently led by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, who has little power to bring up legislation on the House floor, and he reportedly threatened to quit.