Jim Jordan to Lead Small House GOP as Oversight Battles Loom
The Ohio representative defeated Steve Scalise 106-73 to become minority leader, a role he says requires an aggressive strategy against the new Democratic majority.
By Harper Collins ·
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was elected House Republican leader on Tuesday, defeating Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana in a secret ballot vote that resulted in a score of 106 to 73. The victory positions Jordan, a 62-year-old co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, to guide a significantly smaller Republican conference as the party assumes the minority role in the next Congress.
Jordan’s election reflects a shift toward a more combative leadership style following the recent midterm results. He campaigned on his experience in committee hearings, telling colleagues that he is battle-tested on the oversight front and knows the Democrats’ playbook. His stated goal is to prioritize offense over defense, a strategy he believes is necessary to win future elections.
The incoming leader faces the challenge of managing a historically small caucus while President Donald Trump completes his final two years in office. Jordan warned that his team expects numerous investigations of the administration from the new Democratic majority. He emphasized that the party’s job is not merely to critique the new Democratic leadership but to actively spotlight its policies.
Scalise, 61, had a long history in party leadership, having served as whip and majority leader since 2014. He pitched his campaign around his fundraising success and resilience, noting that he raised $67.9 million for the midterms. Scalise also referenced his personal history of overcoming adversity, including a 2017 shooting and a 2023 cancer diagnosis that was successfully treated.
The leadership transition follows the ouster of Speaker Mike Johnson, who is stepping aside after the two candidates failed to secure the speaker’s position in a prior vote. Other leadership roles are also being contested this week, with Reps. Tom Emmer and August Pfluger vying for the whip position. Three representatives, Lisa McClain, Erin Houchin, and Greg Steube, are seeking the conference chair role.
Democrats will hold their own leadership elections next week. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is expected to become the next House speaker, making him the first African-American to hold the position. Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is expected to become the next majority leader, which would make her the first woman to serve in that role.
