The secret-ballot election to succeed outgoing leader Mike Johnson presents House Republicans with two contrasting visions for rebuilding after their major election losses. Steve Scalise is campaigning on his extensive leadership background with a conservative, consensus-driven plan to reclaim the majority. Meanwhile, Jim Jordan is pitching a confrontational strategy that leverages his Judiciary and Oversight experience to defend Donald Trump from Democratic oversight. Donald Trump has not officially endorsed a candidate in this race, although he previously backed Jordan in 2023.
Key points
The election marks a rematch from 2023 when both lawmakers previously sought to succeed K…: The election marks a rematch from 2023 when both lawmakers previously sought to succeed Kevin McCarthy.
Lawmakers must decide between Scalise's consensus-driven approach and Jordan's aggressive…: Lawmakers must decide between Scalise's consensus-driven approach and Jordan's aggressive, combative oversight posture.
Trump has not yet made an official endorsement, despite backing Jordan in the previous le…: Trump has not yet made an official endorsement, despite backing Jordan in the previous leadership election.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
House Republicans to elect a new leader as they look to rebuild from midterm defeat
Just one week after losing the majority in the midterm elections, House Republicans will meet behind closed doors on Tuesday to pick a minority leader for the next Congress.
The choice to succeed Mike Johnson, R-La., as the top House Republican will be between current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, a co-founder of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus.
The election — which will be conducted by secret ballot — represents a high-stakes decision for the party that will help determine which way it goes as it looks to regroup from a staggering defeat that saw Democrats flip more than 40 GOP seats en route to winning back the majority.
"I think what develops here will become a larger, external conversation about the direction of the Republican Party," said former House Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, who held the gavel in an acting role during the tumultuous GOP speakership fight in 2023.
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Sweeping midterm victories handed Democrats their largest congressional majority in a generation, flipping key governorships and legislative chambers primarily in regions previously carried by Donald Trump. National party leadership credited messages centered on affordability and ending the war in Iran for mobilizing voters. Newly elected lawmakers face immediate pressure to resolve competing governing agendas while high-profile figures position themselves for the 2028 presidential primary.