Scalise, Jordan vie for House minority leader role

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(The Center Square) – With Republicans losing the majority in both chambers of Congress, two contenders for House minority leader have already thrown their hats in the ring.

Current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, both asked their colleagues for support in respective letters to the House Republican Conference.

The bids came just after news dropped that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will not seek the role. House Republicans have scheduled their leadership elections for Nov. 10.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of unity, remaining on the offense, and developing a clear policy vision in response to the party’s staggering losses on election night.

Scalise, who also served as majority whip before serving as majority leader, touted his consensus-driven approach and fundraising credentials, adding that his “number one goal” as leader “will be to win back the majority and I expect you to hold me accountable to that mission.”

Scalise also warned against the “socialists [who] are coming to Washington with a radical agenda” who “will stop at nothing to undo the progress we’ve made.” He argued that to combat the threat, the Republican conference needs to make “substantive changes” to how it operates, including “clear expectation-setting and accountability.”

That addition is likely a nod to the multiple instances of Republican infighting that stalled or imploded critical policy negotiations, including the intended renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Congressional authorization has lapsed for FISA 702 and the program will go dark if lawmakers do not renew it by March 18, 2027.

Jordan, who also holds a position on the House Oversight Committee, argued in his much shorter bid letter that Republicans’ job in the minority “cannot be merely to spotlight how radical this new Democrat party is” but must also be to “restore voters’ faith in our ability to deliver” on promises.

“To our constituents, we must present clear alternatives to the progressive policies of the Democrats,” he wrote. “Direct communication with the American people will be our greatest tool, and I will be a relentless voice for our entire Conference.”

Jordan added, “I am battle-tested on the oversight front and I know the Democrats' playbook. I know what it will take to lead our Conference in the minority, to stay unified, and to coordinate and calibrate our response to the Democrats' tactics.”

Current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is widely expected to take Johnson’s place as speaker when the 120th House of Representatives is sworn in Jan. 3.