After midterms losses, House GOP elects Jordan next leader in major shakeup
Jordan wins party vote
Republicans selected Jordan over Scalise in Tuesday’s vote, according to sources familiar with the tally. Jordan will become the party’s minority leader in the next Congress. The change comes after the GOP lost more than 40 seats in last week’s midterm elections. Jordan’s elevation marks a significant shift as House Republicans work to recover from those losses.
A leadership change ahead
Speaker Mike Johnson is stepping away from party leadership. In recent days, he has not committed to whether he will remain in Congress over the longer term. Jordan and Scalise both sought the speakership after Kevin McCarthy was ousted in 2023. Their campaigns failed to bring the party’s factions together, while Johnson won the position in a unanimous vote.
Jordan and Scalise’s records
Jordan helped establish the conservative House Freedom Caucus and has led the Judiciary Committee since 2023. In his leadership letter, he said Republicans needed a clear plan and described himself as battle-tested.
Key points
- Jordan defeated Scalise 106 to 73 in the Republican leadership vote.
- Republicans lost more than 40 House seats in the midterms.
- Johnson is leaving party leadership but has not said whether he will leave Congress.
- Jordan has chaired the House Judiciary Committee since 2023.