Scalise, Jordan vie to lead House Republicans reeling from midterm rebuke
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Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024. Photo: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Republicans' election-night bloodbath has touched off a bitter leadership battle, with both Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan vying to replace Mike Johnson as leader of the House GOP.
Why it matters: Whoever wins the minority leader post will play a pivotal role in trying to lead Republicans back out of the political wilderness after their crushing midterm losses.
- It's the second attempt at the top House Republican job for both Scalise (R-La.) and Jordan (R-Ohio).
- Johnson (R-La.) told staff that he will not run for minority leader on a Wednesday morning call, a person familiar with his plans said.
Driving the news: Scalise pitched himself as a leader positioned to bring Republicans back into the majority
- "He is a proven and tested leader who is ready on day one. He's spent his career unifying Republicans and he is prepared for the big legislative and oversight battles ahead. The conference knows him, how he fights, and that he's a trusted leader," the person familiar with his plans said in statement.
- Jordan, meanwhile, is positioning himself as an alternative to party leaders who presided over the midterm loss.
- "I am battle-tested on the oversight front and I know the Democrats' playbook," Jordan wrote in a letter to Republican lawmakers, "We need a leadership team that is active and engaged, forward-thinking and straight shooting."
Zoom in: Majority Whip Tom Emmer, meanwhile is making calls to lock down support from him to stay on as whip in the minority, a person familiar with his plans told Axios.
- Emmer (R-Minn.) told Axios in September that he intends to remain in his current role rather than seek a higher leadership position.
Yes, but: Republican Study Chair August Pfluger (R-Texas) is gearing up to challenge Emmer for whip, according to a source familiar with his plans and a dear colleague letter obtained by Axios.
- Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) also told Axios on Wednesday morning that he plans to run for National Republican Congressional Committee chair.
Catch up quick: Scalise defeated Jordan in the Republican conference's secret-ballot vote to nominate a speaker in October 2023, but withdrew a day later after failing to secure enough support on the House floor.
- Johnson ultimately emerged as speaker after weeks of Republican infighting.
State of play: A Scalise-Jordan race would pit two of the House GOP's most prominent figures against each other.
- Scalise enters the contest with more than a decade of experience in leadership, while Jordan could draw support from the party's conservative wing.
- But the scale of the loss on Tuesday night has prompted calls for an entirely new leadership slate — a potential stumbling block for Scalise.
- Three House Republicans previously told Axios that a major midterm defeat could fuel calls for an entirely new leadership team
Behind the Scenes: One House Republican told Axios that every member of GOP leadership will face a challenger because of the election results.
- "When you have the worst defeat in modern history, you need a new playbook," another GOP lawmaker told Axios.
What's next: House Republicans are scheduled to elect their next leadership team on Nov. 10, with candidates facing a Friday deadline to declare their intentions.
- The winner needs a majority of House Republicans in a secret-ballot vote.
- Trump could play a pivotal role in determining the next top House Republican, and GOP lawmakers are watching closely to see whether he throws his support behind a candidate.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting throughout.
