House Republicans elected Rep. Jim Jordan as their next minority leader Tuesday, choosing the Ohio congressman to lead their incoming minority after losing control of the chamber in the midterm elections. Jordan defeated Majority Leader Steve Scalise, 106–73, in a closed-door vote.
Jordan will take charge when the new Congress convenes in January, with Democrats controlling both chambers during the final two years of President Donald Trump’s presidency. His election followed Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision not to seek another term as House Republican leader.
Other Republican leadership contests remained unresolved in the latest available reports. Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota faced Rep. August Pfluger of Texas for minority whip, the conference’s No. 2 position. Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan faced challenges from Reps. Erin Houchin of Indiana and Greg Steube of Florida.
Reps. Brian Jack of Georgia and Rudy Yakym of Indiana were competing to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee, which oversees the party’s House campaign operation. That contest will help determine who directs Republican efforts to regain the majority in 2028.
Across the Capitol, Senate Republicans were debating whether to postpone their leadership elections to allow more discussion of the party’s losses. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota faced no declared challenger to remain Republican leader, but senators including Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Josh Hawley of Missouri supported a delay. No final leadership result was confirmed in the reports reviewed.
Jordan’s victory puts a longtime conservative challenger to Republican leaders at the head of the House conference. The Judiciary Committee chairman entered Congress in January 2007 after serving in both chambers of the Ohio Legislature. Before entering politics, he worked as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University.
He helped establish the House Freedom Caucus in 2015 and became its first chairman. The group pushed Republican leaders toward harder positions on spending, immigration and other policy disputes. Jordan also developed a national profile as a prominent Trump defender in congressional investigations and hearings.
His election marks a reversal from October 2023, when his bid for House speaker collapsed. Jordan won the Republican nomination after Kevin McCarthy’s removal but failed to secure a majority in three House floor votes. Republicans subsequently dropped him as their nominee and eventually elected Johnson.
The minority leader is chosen by members of the party rather than the full House. The leader directs legislative strategy, speaks for the minority and works with the whip to coordinate votes. The speaker, elected by the full chamber, presides over the House.
The minority leadership role developed through congressional practice, with the House historian’s formal list beginning in 1899. Its responsibilities include protecting the minority’s rights, opposing legislation the party rejects and building support to win control in the next election.
Jordan campaigned for the job by emphasizing his oversight experience and calling for a more aggressive response to the incoming Democratic majority. He will now face the task of uniting Republicans around that approach while helping rebuild their electoral strength.
House Democrats are scheduled to elect their leaders Nov. 18. Hakeem Jeffries is seeking the party’s nomination for speaker, Katherine Clark is running for majority leader and Pete Aguilar is seeking the majority whip position. All three were reported unopposed. Jeffries would still need to win a separate House floor vote when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3 to become speaker.
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