Tom Emmer is in the lead as Republicans vote on candidates for speaker

Majority Whip Tom Emmer led in the first round of ballots when Republicans met behind closed doors in the House basement Tuesday to elect a new nominee for speaker.

Mr. Emmer placed first among the seven candidates vying to lead the chamber. Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas Republican, was forced out in the first round after receiving the lowest number of votes. 

Conference Vice Chairman Mike Johnson of Louisiana placed second and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida earned the third-highest number of votes. 

Lawmakers will continue to vote until they whittle down the list to one person who wins the nomination with the majority of support from the conference. Mr. Emmer garnered 78 votes in the first round in the 221-member House Republican Conference. 

The speaker position has been empty since Oct. 3 thanks to intense disagreements within the GOP over the direction of the conference.