Scalise and Jordan clash for GOP House leadership role
Two Louisiana Republicans announced candidacies for the top minority party post after midterm losses.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan announced Wednesday that they will compete for the position of House Minority Leader in the 119th Congress.
The race follows a wave of losses for the Republican Party in the midterm elections held Tuesday. Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana's 4th District, decided not to seek the leadership role. Scalise, the representative for Louisiana's 1st District, stated he is ready to lead the party immediately. He argued that the party must emerge stronger and united after an election result that was worse than expected.
In a letter to his colleagues, Scalise warned that the incoming House Democrats possess a radical agenda. He said the new majority aims to undo progress made alongside President Trump over the past two years. Scalise claimed the Democrats will target the President's family, cabinet officials, and conservative allies. He described the upcoming period as one where Democrats will use oversight as a weapon.
Jordan, who represents Ohio, entered the race with a different message. He wrote to colleagues that the Republican strategy must focus on offense rather than defense. He argued that the party cannot simply criticize the new Democratic leadership during the next two years. Jordan previously led the Judiciary Committee and is a favorite among the conservative wing of the House, including members of the Freedom Caucus.
The two candidates have a history of competing for power. Both sought the Speakership in 2023 after Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position. They failed to secure a majority of votes, allowing Johnson to become Speaker as a consensus choice. Scalise has served as House Minority Leader since 2023.
Scalise won re-election Tuesday with 61 percent of the vote in his district. Johnson also won re-election Tuesday in the 4th District. Johnson will continue to serve as a rank-and-file member of the House. He has not yet endorsed either candidate for the leadership post.
The new Congress will be sworn in in January. Scalise and Jordan will now seek votes from their Republican colleagues to become the party's top leader in the House.
