Jim Jordan says he is still running for Speaker of the House despite losing two votes

Jim Jordan will still be running for Speaker of the US House of Representatives despite losing two previous votes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Jordan said after leaving a behind closed doors meeting that he was pushing for another vote and planned to speak to those who voted against him in his bid for the gavel.

He said: “I’m still running for Speaker and I plan to go to the floor and get the votes and win this race.

“But I want to go talk with a few of my colleagues, particularly want to talk with the 20 individuals who voted against me, so that we can move forward and begin to work for the American people.”

It comes after Republican lawmakers claimed earlier that he was going to pause his Speaker bid and would instead back the appointment of Republican Patrick McHenry, currently the interim Speaker.

Mr Jordan’s announcement comes after some Republican lawmakers claimed they have received death threats from his allies.

Several Republicans claimed they have been targeted by a pressure campaign from Mr Jordan’s supporters.

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Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Iowa Republican, claimed in a statement she had “received credible death threats and a barrage of threatening calls” after voting for an alternative to Mr Jordan.

She said: “One thing I cannot stomach, or support, is a bully.”

Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, and opponent of Mr Jordan, said one of his supporters sent his wife threatening texts.

He said one read: “Your husband will not hold any political office ever again. What a disappoint [sic] and failure he is.”

Several other anti-Jordan Republicans, including Virginia’s Jen Kiggans and Kay Granger of Texas, said the local Conservative leaders and right-wing influencers who back Mr Jordan had used inappropriate tactics in order to try and sway their vote.

Ms Kiggans said: “Intimidation and threats will not change my position.”

Carlos Gimenez, a Florida Republican, told NBC News he had spoken with Mr Jordan directly about the alleged campaign, saying: “I don’t really take well to threats.”

Mr McHenry replaced Kevin McCarthy two weeks ago and at the time suggested he did not want the role on a permanent basis.

He said: “I did not ask for additional powers. My duty is to get the next Speaker elected. That’s my focus.”

Additional reporting by AP.