Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives failed in a first vote for U.S. House Speaker Tuesday, raising the prospect that the Ohio Republican could keep trying for multiple ballots.

Jordan’s candidacy was in peril from very early in the vote, as a string of Republicans surprised their caucus by voting against the Ohio lawmaker. The trend continued over the half-hour voice vote. In the end, Jordan fell short by 20 votes, a higher number than many in the conference had predicted ahead of the vote.

Those who were opposed to Jordan cast their ballots for other people, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Majority Leader, Rep. Steve Scalise. Neither man was in the running, however, so voting for them merely had the effect of denying Jordan that vote.

Following the first ballot, Jordan huddled with his close allies on the House floor, before interim Speaker pro-tempore Patrick McHenry called a recess of the House, but one he could end anytime.