Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise Set To Wrestle For Top House GOP Spot After Mike Johnson Steps Aside

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan launched their bids Wednesday to become their party’s next leader after losing the majority.

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he would not seek a leadership role after Democrats regained the majority in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Scalise and Jordan will face off on Tuesday seeking to become the minority leader in the 120th Congress.

“To succeed in this fight, we will need to stand united as one team, be smart and strategic to secure conservative policy wins where we can, closely coordinate our defense against aggressive oversight and together develop a clear vision and agenda to earn back the majority in 2028,” Scalise said. “That is why I’m running to be your Republican Leader—I am ready to lead on day one and chart our path back to the majority.”

Scalise stated that he helped deliver major wins for his party, including the Working Families Tax Cuts, and fought against “far-left Democrat bills.” He also planned to work on discrediting Democrats’ potential investigations into President Donald Trump and his administration.

“House Democrats are about to unleash the most radical ‘oversight’ agenda we have seen in years. Yes, they will seek to impeach President Trump, but their focus will extend far beyond the Oval Office. They have made clear they will undertake a comprehensive approach that will target President Trump’s family, key cabinet officials, and any ally who has supported our America First agenda, including outside conservative partners and industry leaders,” Scalise continued. “Make no mistake: they will weaponize every single gavel.”

“Through close coordination with the administration and our committee leaders, we will deploy a comprehensive approach that involves all committees to discredit their ‘investigations’ and put them on defense,” the majority leader said.

Scalise was elected as House majority whip in 2014 and served as House minority whip from 2019 to 2022. He became House majority leader in 2023. A gunman seriously injured Scalise after a would-be assassin attacked lawmakers practicing for the annual congressional baseball game in 2017.

Jordan said in his “Dear Colleague” letter that he understands the “Democrats’ playbook” and called on the conference to stand united in fighting against them.

“There is far more that unites us as Republicans than divides us,” Jordan wrote. “We all believe America is worth fighting for. We are optimistic that America’s best days are ahead and that through God’s grace, we can overcome any obstacle. With your help, I will use every minute of the next two years working to advance our Republican priorities and restore our majority.”

Jordan, a former wrestling coach, has chaired the House Judiciary Committee since Jan. 3, 2023.

Scalise and Jordan ran for speaker after the House ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, although neither received the votes to assume the role. Jordan became the nominee after defeating Scalise in an internal party vote, but lost three consecutive votes after facing opposition from moderate Republicans.

Jordan is a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, which was often a thorn in the side for Johnson. Members of the Freedom Caucus, including Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy, voted against a rule in September to protest the passage of the continuing resolution (CR) particularly because it delayed a ban on hemp THC products. Two Democrats rescued Johnson during that vote from facing a floor shutdown.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become the next speaker. He could face opposition from members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) over issues such as Medicare for All and Israel aid.