Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio won a secret-ballot election by House Republicans to become their minority leader, defeating Rep. Steve Scalise in a 106-73 vote.
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Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was elected by House Republicans to lead the party in the minority, winning a secret-ballot vote over Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana by 106-73.
Jordan, 62, is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a co-founder of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, where he previously served as its first chairman. He was described as inheriting a historically small House Republican conference as the party begins adjusting to life without House power while President Donald Trump serves out his final two years in office.
In remarks to reporters after his win, Jordan said Republicans would focus on fighting for American families over the next two years, adding: “When Democrats offer more government, we'll offer more freedom.” He said, “We will bring that fight in committee, on the floor and on the stump every single day.”
The election capped a familiar pair-up between Jordan and Scalise: both entered Congress about two decades ago and both sought the House speakership after Kevin McCarthy was ousted in 2023. Neither secured the job, which instead went to Mike Johnson, who is stepping aside from the leadership in the new Congress.
Supporters described Jordan as emphasizing his experience confronting Democrats in committee rooms. Before becoming lead Republican on the committee six years ago, Jordan had served as the top Republican on the House oversight panel.
Scalise, 61, has held major GOP leadership roles since 2014, including stints as party whip and then majority leader. He was critically wounded in 2017 when a gunman opened fire at a baseball practice involving several Republican lawmakers and staff ahead of an annual charity baseball game against Democrats. In 2023, Scalise was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that was successfully treated.
Scalise emphasized overcoming adversity in his pitch to colleagues and also highlighted fundraising, saying he raised $67.9 million for this year’s midterms, with about a third going directly to individual House campaigns and the National Republican Congressional Committee.
The vote came as House Republicans are poised for a smaller conference after last week’s election, with moderates and swing-district lawmakers retiring or voted out, and with others returning looking for new leadership.
House Republican leaders filled other roles as well: Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota was elected whip, beating Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, and Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan won reelection as conference chair.
Democrats are scheduled to hold their leadership elections next week, with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York expected to become House speaker and Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts expected to become majority leader. “She would be the first woman to hold that position.”
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