Jordan Defeats Scalise for GOP Minority Leadership

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio defeated Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana in the Republican leadership election on Tuesday.

The vote came out 106 to 73. Jordan will become the minority leader when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. Democrats are set to retake control of the House at that time.

Scalise, who currently serves as majority leader, said on Wednesday that he has not decided what to do next. He left the possibility of retirement open. He must determine how to structure his role during the lame duck session before making a final call.

The Louisiana Republican has been in Congress since 2008. He entered the leadership hierarchy in 2014 as the House whip under Speaker John Boehner. He kept that position when Speaker Paul Ryan took over. Scalise moved up to majority leader in 2023 after Republicans regained the chamber under Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

His career faced a major test in 2017 when he was shot at a congressional baseball practice. The injury increased his national profile. President Donald Trump called him a real fighter on social media after the incident.

Scalise attempted to become Speaker after McCarthy was removed from his post in 2023. That bid failed, but he remained as majority leader when Mike Johnson took the gavel. Scalise said the recent defeat lifted weight from his shoulders. He noted that leadership roles demand extensive time away from family.

His immediate focus is on passing legislation before the new year. He stated that Republicans have until the end of December to pursue their goals while holding a majority. The party has just under seven weeks to act before the new leadership structure takes effect in January.

Scalise expressed continued passion for the political process. He said he wants to accomplish as much as possible during the remaining weeks of the current session. The decision on his future will come after the lame duck period concludes.