UPDATE - 2 Republicans announce candidacy for House Speaker after McCarthy's ouster

ADDS ANOTHER LAWMAKER'S BID, REVISES HEADLINES, TRUMP REMARKS

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Hours after US Rep. Jim Jordan announced his candidacy Wednesday for House Speaker in the wake of Kevin McCarthy's ouster, another Republican colleague said he will run for the post.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise sent a letter to his fellow Republican colleagues asking for support and said: "Now is not the time to slow down".

"This next chapter won’t be easy, but I know what it takes to fight and I am prepared for the battles that lie ahead," said Scalise.

Jordan, who is Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, earlier requested support from his colleagues.

"We are at a critical crossroad in our nation's history. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans,” Jordan wrote in a letter addressed to House Republicans.

He underscored the urgency of addressing challenges faced by the US, including crimes in major cities, reducing spending, border security and protection of national security.

"The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable,” he wrote. “No matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference.”

McCarthy was removed Tuesday as Speaker of the House of Representatives in a historic vote prompted by a revolt from the top Republican's right flank. The 216-210 vote saw eight Republican lawmakers and all Democrats who were present vote to remove him.

Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry was appointed interim speaker until a leader can be selected.

A vote will be held to elect a successor next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump responded to calls from some Republicans to take the vacated House Speaker role. The former US president responded and said he is focused on his bid to return to the White House.

"Lot of people have been calling me about speaker, all I can say is we’ll do whatever is best for the country and for the Republican party," Trump told reporters at a courthouse in New York City on the third day of his civil fraud trial.

"My focus is totally on (election). If I can help them during the process, I’ll do it. But we have some great people in the Republican party that could do a great job as speaker," he added.