Jim Jordan wins House GOP minority leader race
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Rep. Jim Jordan speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill on June 9. Photo: Elizabeth Frantz/Bloomberg via Getty Images
House Republicans elected Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as their new leader Tuesday, handing the reins of the battered GOP conference to one of its most prominent conservative firebrands.
Why it matters: Jordan's victory marks a major shake-up in House Republican leadership, elevating a founding member of the hardline Freedom Caucus who campaigned as an alternative to the leaders who presided over the GOP's crushing midterm defeat.
- Jordan bested Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who had served as the No. 2 House Republican since 2014, in the conference-wide secret ballot for minority leader.
- Scalise trailed Jordan by 33 votes.
- Jordan's victory signals an appetite among House Republicans for a more confrontational approach as they prepare to enter the minority.
State of play: Jordan and Scalise entered Tuesday's election locked in a tight race, with both camps expressing confidence in their chances of winning.
- Jordan drew public support from some of the conference's most conservative members, who argued Republicans needed a change in direction after their devastating midterm losses.
- Scalise leaned on his longstanding relationships across the conference and his decade-plus of experience in leadership.
The big picture: Jordan's ascent represents a remarkable turnaround for a conservative agitator who spent much of his career challenging the Republican establishment before becoming one of President Trump's most vocal allies.
- He'll be tasked with uniting a fractured Republican conference and leading the party's efforts to reclaim the House majority in 2028.
Zoom out: Beyond the top job, current whip Tom Emmer (Minn.) beat back a challenge from Rep. August Pfluger (Texas) to stay on as minority whip.
- Conference Chair: Lisa McClain (Mich.) won a three-way race with Reps. Erin Houchin (Ind.) and Greg Steube (Fla.).
- NRCC Chair: Brian Jack (Ga.) beat out Rudy Yakym (Ind.) to lead House Republicans' campaign arm. Current NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson (N.C.) lost his own reelection bid last week.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional vote results.
