Jordan, Scalise refine their pitches to lead House GOP minority
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Reps. Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise. Photos: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc and Finn Gomez via Getty Images
House Republicans will decide a contentious battle over who will attempt to lead them out of the political wilderness when they select a new top leader Tuesday morning.
Why it matters: Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.) and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (Ohio) will headline the battle for control of what's left of the Republican conference — with every other top position also up for grabs.
- While votes were still being counted Wednesday morning, Speaker Mike Johnson (La.) quickly took himself out of the running to stay on as GOP leader, citing the toll the job has taken on his family.
- That left Scalise and Jordan squaring off for minority leader in a rematch of their bitter 2023 battle for the speakership.
Driving the news: Scalise allies are increasingly confident heading into Tuesday's vote, with Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) arguing that calls to delay the leadership elections are a sign that Jordan's supporters don't have the votes.
- "In this process, nothing's locked up until it's locked up. But again, when you have people that say, 'No, you got to delay the race' ... if you're confident that you have the votes, you're like, 'Let's vote now,'" Diaz-Balart told Axios after emerging from a meeting with Scalise allies Monday night.
- Diaz-Balart also argued that while both candidates can energize the GOP base, only Scalise can appeal to voters outside it and win back the House majority.
Zoom in: Scalise is pitching himself as the steady hand who can lead Republicans back to the majority, leaning on his decade of experience in leadership.
- Jordan is casting himself as the candidate for change, tapping into frustration among Republicans who believe last week's devastating losses demand a shake-up at the top.
- The race is expected to be tight, and the winner needs a majority of House Republicans in a secret-ballot vote.
Zoom out: Beyond the top job, GOP's losses have unleashed a full-on leadership free-for-all.
- Minority whip: Tom Emmer (Minn.) faces a challenge from Rep. August Pfluger (Texas).
- Conference Chair: Lisa McClain (Mich.) is in a three-way race with Reps. Erin Houchin (Ind.) and Greg Steube (Fla.).
- NRCC Chair: Rudy Yakym (Ind.) and Brian Jack (Ga.) are competing to lead House Republicans' campaign arm. Current NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson (N.C.) lost his own reelection bid last week.
Between the lines: For now, both Johnson and President Trump are staying on the sidelines.
