Republicans have nominated Majority Whip Tom Emmer to replace the ousted speaker of the US House of Representatives, pinning their hopes on the establishment favourite to lead them out of weeks of chaos that have paralyzed Washington.
Congress has been at a standstill and unable to address multiple global crises, as well as the fast-approaching threat of a government shutdown after the historic dismissal of Kevin McCarthy in a right-wing rebellion on 3 October.
And he would be the least experienced speaker in more than a century, having never chaired a committee or held a senior leadership role for more than a few months -- although he led the Republican campaign arm for two terms. He said in a letter to colleagues ahead of the ballots that he was seeking the gavel to deliver"historic change".
The nominee can afford to lose just four Republicans and still claim the speakership if every Democrat votes against him. Mr Trump himself has not publicly come out against Mr Emmer but his close ally, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, has launched a"stop Emmer" drive.