House Republicans Elect Jim Jordan as Minority Leader Following Midterm Election Losses

House Republicans elected Ohio Representative Jim Jordan as their minority leader on Tuesday, choosing the combative conservative to guide the party following a series of significant losses in the midterm elections.

Jordan defeated current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a secret ballot held behind closed doors. He secured 106 votes to Scalise's 73, according to sources familiar with the tally.

The leadership change arrives as the Republican conference attempts to regroup after losing more than 40 seats, which handed Democrats control of the House for the upcoming legislative session.

Jordan, a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus and current chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has advocated for a more confrontational approach to the incoming Democratic majority.

“For too long, we have operated without a clear plan to survive the hour or the day in front of us. That will not cut it against an emboldened and energetic Democratic majority,” Jordan said.

The election represents a rematch of the 2023 contest to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. At that time, neither Jordan nor Scalise could secure enough support, leading to the selection of Mike Johnson.

Johnson, who is stepping down from his leadership position, has not publicly committed to his long-term future in Congress following the party's recent electoral defeat.

Scalise had campaigned on a platform of continuity, describing his intended approach as “conservative and consensus-driven” in a letter to his colleagues announcing his candidacy for the leadership post.

While the House conference moved to solidify its leadership, Senate Republicans reelected South Dakota Senator John Thune as their leader on Tuesday despite internal frustrations over the loss of their majority.

Some senators had pushed to delay the leadership vote to discuss the party's direction, but the conference ultimately voted 31-15 to proceed with the election of Thune.

“If you don't think after losing seven Senate seats minimum that we need to change course, I don't know what planet you're on,” said Missouri Senator Josh Hawley.

It remains to be seen how the new House leadership will coordinate its oversight agenda with President Donald Trump, who has maintained significant influence over the Republican conference.