U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher is aligning with Wisconsin’s other Republican members of Congress when it comes to the battle over the role of House Speaker. The U.S. House of Representatives has been struggling to elect a new leader since what was supposed to be their inauguration day on Tuesday. As of Thursday at 10 a.m., there have been seven votes over the three days, with no Speaker candidate getting the necessary votes. Wisconsin Republicans have been voting in favor of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who has served as the party’s leader in the house since 2014. Wisconsin’s Democrats have voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. A group of Republicans made up mostly of members of the House Freedom Caucus have been united in their opposition against McCarthy, instead throwing their support behind Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, among other candidates. While McCarthy has made some concessions, it has not been enough to push him over the edge. Door County Republican Party Chairperson Stephanie Soucek is happy that the conversation is taking place about some of the things that are wrong with Washington, D.C., but she also hopes both sides can work something out.

Committee appointments and other House business can only occur after a House Speaker is chosen. Once things get underway, Soucek looks forward to what the chamber will do to address government spending, border control, and international threats.