Mariannette Miller-Meeks isn’t the only Republican to receive threatening messages around the Ohio congressman’s bid for Speaker
Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks reported receiving death threats after voting against Rep. Jim Jordan in his second failed ballot to secure the House Speakership on Wednesday.
“I have received credible death threats and a barrage of threatening calls.” Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) wrote in a statement. “The proper authorities have been notified and my office is cooperating fully. One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully.”
“Someone who threatens another with bodily harm or tries to suppress differing opinions
undermines opportunity for unity and regard for freedom of speech,” she added.
Miller-Meeks had voted for Jordan (R-Ohio) in the first floor vote on Tuesday, but 20 other Republicans sank his bid. The congresswoman explained that by Wednesday it “became abundantly clear early in the roll call vote, that Jim Jordan still did not have the votes necessary to become Speaker,” leading her to vote for Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger.
Jordan lost additional ground in Wednesday’s vote, partially due to an alleged pressure campaign against Republican holdouts that has done little more than anger his colleagues. Earlier this week, Politico reported that the wife of Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) received a series of anonymous threatening text messages regarding her husband’s vote against Jordan.
“Your husband will not hold any political office ever again,” one message read.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez told MSNBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday that he would not bend to pressure from Jordan’s supporters. “You can take away all my committees. You can put me in the basement. I’m committed to my vote, and no matter what you do that’s the way im gonna vote.”
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) told Politico on Tuesday that the intimidation efforts have simply hardened his resolve. “The one thing that will never work with me — if you try to pressure me, if you try to threaten me, then I shut off,” he said.
On Thursday Jordan addressed the harassment against his colleagues, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that “No American should accost another for their beliefs. We condemn all threats against our colleagues and it is imperative that we come together. Stop. It’s abhorrent.”