Factbox-Republicans Scalise and Jordan eye US House speaker role

(Reuters) - Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have begun to position themselves to run for speaker, after a small group of hardliners succeeded in ousting Kevin McCarthy from the job in a historic first.

Here are the candidates who have declared their interest and some other possibilities.

IN: JIM JORDAN

Representative Jim Jordan, an ally of former President Donald Trump, was nominated by some Republican rebels to be speaker during the election to the seat in January. He received 20 votes during one round of voting. He had also challenged McCarthy in a race for minority leader in 2018. Fox News reported on Thursday that Trump is close to endorsing Jordan.

Jordan, who represents a district in Ohio, is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, one of the three panels at the center of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. A firebrand, Jordan publicly sparred with Democrats over their investigations into then-President Trump.

The former college wrestling coach told reporters on Wednesday he was in the running. In a letter to colleagues, he called for unifying the caucus, writing: "We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions."

Wrestlers coached by Jordan said he was aware the team doctor was molesting them. He has denied that.

IN: STEVE SCALISE

Representative Steve Scalise is the No. 2 House Republican long considered to be McCarthy's heir apparent.

Representative Matt Gaetz, the lawmaker who spearheaded the push to oust McCarthy, has said he would support Scalise taking over the role. Scalise announced his candidacy in a letter to his colleagues on Wednesday.

The Louisiana lawmaker was severely injured in a shooting during practice for a charity baseball game in 2017. He may face questions from the caucus about his health, as he announced in August he was in treatment for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Scalise drew criticism for a speech he made in 2002 to a white supremacist group tied to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. Scalise has said he regretted the mistake.

POSSIBLE: KEVIN HERN

Kevin Hern is chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative Republicans. He has told reporters that several lawmakers have approached him to consider running and has suggested that he would be open to it.

However, the lawmaker from Oklahoma could have trouble attracting support from moderates.

POSSIBLE: PATRICK MCHENRY

Representative Patrick McHenry was named to step in as speaker pro tempore following McCarthy's ouster. Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry is a McCarthy ally who spoke in support of McCarthy before the ouster vote.

McHenry, a lawmaker from North Carolina, has said he does not want the job, but supporters may push him toward it if other candidates lose support.

(Compiled by Makini Brice; Editing by Scott Malone, Howard Goller, David Gregorio and Gerry Doyle)