Part 5/6:
As the House approaches a nomination vote, Republican David Cook emerges as the frontrunner. With nearly half of the Republican House members voicing their support for him, Cook’s candidacy represents a shift towards a more unified conservative front. Even Phelan's ally, North Spiller, has pledged support for Cook, indicating a strategic alignment within the party.
The anticipation surrounding the nomination process includes speculation that the new leader may not seek to entertain Democratic committee chairs, a practice that has been allowed by previous speakers. This could signify an overall move toward a decidedly conservative House, potentially reducing the legislative bottlenecks that Phelan faced.