Following significant midterm election losses that cost Republicans over 40 seats and their House majority, House Republicans elected Representative Jim Jordan as minority leader on November 10, 2026. Jordan defeated outgoing Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a secret 106-73 ballot. The election of the Freedom Caucus co-founder signals a aggressive tactical shift aimed at confronting the ascendant Democratic majority and mounting defenses against anticipated congressional investigations into President Donald Trump.
House Republican minority leader election results
- ▪Representative Jim Jordan defeated outgoing House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana by a vote margin of 106 to 73 in the election for House Republican leader
- ▪House Republicans elected Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio as House minority leader
Statements on Jim Jordan's minority leader election
- ▪Representative Jim Jordan stated on November 10, 2026, that House Republicans will offer more freedom in response to Democratic proposals for expanded government power
- ▪Representative Rich McCormick stated he urged Representative Jim Jordan to lead House Republicans independently rather than waiting for direction from President Donald Trump
- ▪Representative Carlos Gimenez expressed doubt over whether Representative Jim Jordan is the right leader, stating House Republicans lost ground with independent and Hispanic voters due to immigration enforcement policies
Steve Scalise's minority leader campaign and liabilities
- ▪Representative Steve Scalise highlighted his fundraising total of $67.9 million for the 2026 midterm elections during his pitch for the minority leader position
- ▪House Republican lawmakers cited Representative Steve Scalise's decade in party leadership since 2014 as a major liability following the 2026 midterm election losses
Jim Jordan's political history and roles
- ▪Representative Jim Jordan ran for Speaker of the House in 2023 following Kevin McCarthy's removal, but failed to secure enough votes on the House floor
- ▪Representative Jim Jordan currently serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, leading past investigations into Democrats and political opponents of President Donald Trump
- ▪Representative Jim Jordan co-founded the far-right House Freedom Caucus in 2015 and previously served as its first chairman
- ▪Representative Jim Jordan backed efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results and voted against certifying Electoral College votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania
Jim Jordan's defense of Trump and Judiciary Committee actions
- ▪House Republicans selected Representative Jim Jordan to lead their defense against anticipated Democratic investigations into President Donald Trump, his family, and his administration in the next Congress
- ▪The House Judiciary Committee under Representative Jim Jordan recommended criminal charges against former special counsel Jack Smith in December 2025 for alleged false statements
Other House Republican leadership election results
- ▪Representative Brian Jack of Georgia won the election to succeed Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina as National Republican Congressional Committee chairman for the 120th Congress
- ▪Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota retained his position as House Republican whip by defeating a challenge from Representative August Pfluger of Texas
- ▪Representative Lisa McClain of Michigan remained House Republican conference chair after defeating challenges from Representatives Greg Steube of Florida and Erin Houchin of Indiana
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