Jim Jordan Defeats Steve Scalise 106-73 to Lead House Republicans in Minority/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Rep. Jim Jordan defeated Rep. Steve Scalise 106-73 Tuesday to become House Republicans’ leader in the next Congress. The Ohio Republican’s victory follows sweeping GOP election losses and Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision not to seek another leadership position. Jordan will lead the party into the minority as Democrats prepare investigations into President Donald Trump’s administration, family and business interests.

Quick Look

• Leadership result: Jordan defeated Scalise by 106 votes to 73.


• Secret ballot: Republicans serving in the next Congress selected their leader behind closed doors.


• New role: Jordan will lead House Republicans in the minority when the new Congress begins in January.


• Current position: He chairs the House Judiciary Committee.


• Political background: Jordan co-founded the House Freedom Caucus and served as its first chairman.


• Johnson steps aside: The outgoing speaker declined to pursue another leadership position after the election defeat.


• Oversight battles ahead: Jordan is expected to play a central role defending Trump against Democratic investigations.

Deep Look

Jordan Wins House Republican Leadership Contest

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio won election Tuesday to lead House Republicans in the next Congress, defeating Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise as the party prepares to enter the minority after sweeping midterm losses.

Jordan prevailed 106-73 in a closed-door, secret-ballot vote among Republicans who will serve in the incoming Congress.

The result elevates one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken congressional allies to the party’s top House leadership position ahead of an expected wave of Democratic investigations.

Jordan, 62, currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee. His candidacy attracted Republicans seeking a change in leadership and colleagues who favor his confrontational political style.

Election Defeat Creates Opening for Change

The leadership contest followed Republican losses across federal and state races that prompted Speaker Mike Johnson to announce he would not seek another leadership role for the next two years.

Scalise, the current House majority leader and the chamber’s second-ranking Republicanoffered continuity and experience within the existing leadership team.

Jordan’s supporters argued that the party needed a different approach.

Jordan’s election determines who will lead House Republicans next year. It does not make him speaker or immediately end Johnson’s current speakership.

Candidates Emphasize Unity During Private Forum

Before voting, Republicans held a candidate forum Tuesday morning where lawmakers questioned those seeking leadership positions.

According to people familiar with the meeting who spoke to Fox News Digital, Jordan and Scalise both presented themselves as capable of unifying the conference after its election losses.

Both also indicated they would allow members latitude to represent their districts when casting votes.

Questions focused on bringing Republicans together and handling leaks from private meetings. The discussion was described as largely cordial.

Jordan said afterward that he believed the forum went well but declined to discuss the substance of the closed-door session.

Trump Ally Prepares for Democratic Oversight

Jordan’s new position will place him at the center of Republican efforts to respond to Democratic scrutiny of the White House.

Democrats preparing to take control of the House have signaled plans to investigate Trump’s administration, Cabinet officials, family and business interests.

Jordan warned colleagues about the coming oversight battles as he sought their support.

His allies argued that his communication skills would be particularly valuable in the minority.

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis. said that Jordan “understands what we’re up against.”

Freedom Caucus Co-Founder Takes Top Conference Role

Jordan co-founded the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus and served as its first chairman before becoming a prominent figure in Republican investigations and political messaging.

His influence has grown alongside his role as a vocal defender of Trump.

The victory over Scalise marks a shift from committee leadership to responsibility for the broader Republican conference, including members representing districts with different political priorities.

Jordan will now face the task both candidates emphasized during their campaigns: keeping a reduced Republican conference united while responding to a Democratic majority.

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