House Republicans returned from a week-long recess to a race for Speaker that remains unclear.
The ideological divide between the Establishment and the House Freedom Caucus has proven difficult for potential candidates to overcome, after it led in part to the exit of former candidate Kevin McCarthy in early October.
In the meantime, Speaker John Boehner has said he’ll remain on the job until his successor is in place.
Read More: Kevin McCarthy Drops Out of Speaker’s Race
Here’s where the race for Speaker stands today:
Rep. Paul Ryan
The Wisconsin Republican and former vice presidential nominee currently has his dream job: chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which gives him immense power over his favorite subject: taxes. He’s seen as the only candidate who can bridge the divide between the Establishment and the Freedom Caucus, but he’s also said he doesn’t want the job.
Rep. Daniel Webster
Now in his third term, the Florida Republican is a backbencher who has said he would decentralize power in the House, a move that’s wildly popular with the Freedom Caucus. He’s noted his two years as speaker of the Florida state House in the late 1990s in his pitch. He received a dozen protest votes when Boehner was re-elected as Speaker in January, but he faces long odds in actually taking the top spot.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz
The Utah Republican surprised many when he announced in early October that he would challenge McCarthy for the post. He has vowed a more confrontational approach to the job, but he also is considered a long shot. Chaffetz currently heads the House Oversight Committee, where he’s held hearings on the Secret Service, Planned Parenthood and other hot topics.
Rep. Bill Flores
The Texas Republican is considering a run for Speaker, but has said he wouldn’t do it if Ryan opts in. As head of the conservative Republican Study Committee, he already leads a large bloc of conservatives who could make him a serious contender. But the Freedom Caucus broke off from the Republican Study Committee, so he could fall short with them.
Rep. Fred Upton
A Michigan Republican could potentially enter the race as well. A longtime ally of Boehner, Upton said the outgoing Speaker “put our country first” when he announced he would resign. Upton belongs to the Tuesday Group, an informal caucus of moderate Republicans that would serve as a base of support. He’s been in Congress since 1987, making him the longest-serving potential contender.
Read Next: Here’s What Could Happen Next in the Race for Speaker
Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated the state Upton represents in Congress. He represents Michigan.