House GOP Leadership: Jim Jordan Wins Vote to Become Minority Leader
Jordan defeated Steve Scalise 106-73 to take the helm of a smaller Republican conference facing an oversight-heavy agenda under President Trump.
By Simon Bennett ·
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio defeated Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana 106 to 73 in a secret ballot election held Tuesday. The vote secured Jordan the position of House Republican leader as the party transitions to a minority status for the next Congress.
Jordan, 62, currently serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and is a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus. He previously led that caucus in its early days. His campaign resonated with members seeking fresh leadership following the recent midterm election results. Many lawmakers also cited his aggressive approach in committee hearings as a key asset for the coming years.
Scalise, 61, has held senior leadership roles within the party since 2014, serving first as party whip and later as majority leader. In 2017, he was shot during a charity baseball practice involving congressional members. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023, a blood cancer that was successfully treated. Scalise emphasized his fundraising capabilities during the campaign, noting he raised $67.9 million for this year's midterms. About one-third of that total went directly to individual House campaigns and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
President Donald Trump stated he was staying out of the leadership race. Both candidates have faced each other previously, including during the race to replace Speaker Kevin McCarthy more than three years ago. At that time, neither candidate gathered enough support to win the speakership, which eventually went to Mike Johnson. Johnson is stepping aside from his leadership role in the new Congress.
Jordan warned that the Democratic majority will prioritize oversight of the Trump administration for its final two years in office. He said the party must focus on offense rather than defense in these investigations. He told colleagues that his experience in committee rooms prepares him to counter the Democrats' tactics. He described himself as battle-tested on the oversight front and familiar with the opposition's playbook.
Scalise pitched his ability to overcome adversity to his colleagues. He pointed to his past health challenges and the 2017 shooting as evidence of his resilience. The two candidates met with members of the incoming class on Tuesday morning before the afternoon vote. The election reflects the party's shift in strategy as it prepares to manage a historically small conference.
Other leadership positions are also up for election. Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota and Rep. August Pfluger of Texas are competing for the role of Republican whip. Three members are running for conference chair: Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan, Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana, and Rep. Greg Steube of Florida. The incoming Republicans will hold their leadership elections in the morning, followed by a secret ballot vote in the afternoon.
Democratic leadership elections are scheduled for next week. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is expected to be elected as House speaker, becoming the first African-American to hold that title. Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is expected to serve as majority leader, which would make her the first woman to hold that position.
