House Republicans pick Jim Jordan as leader for next Congress after midterm losses

House Republicans on Tuesday chose Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio to lead their conference in the next Congress, where the party will be in the minority after losing more than 40 seats in last week's midterm elections, according to the Louisiana Illuminator and other States Newsroom outlets.

The closed-door vote was 106-73, a House Republican staff member told the outlets. Jordan defeated Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the current majority leader. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that cheering was audible outside the meeting room after the result.

Jordan will take over from House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who chose not to seek the post again. Speaking to reporters after the vote, Jordan said, "When Democrats offer more government, we'll offer more freedom," according to the Wisconsin Examiner.

As minority leader, Jordan will be responsible for trying to win back seats, raising money for the party and negotiating with Democrats on bills that must pass, such as government funding measures, the outlets reported. The South Dakota Searchlight noted that Republicans will hold their smallest House minority since the 1990s, limiting their influence in the chamber.

Some House contests remain undecided, but The Associated Press has called 166 seats for Republicans and 255 for Democrats in the incoming 120th Congress, according to the reports.

Jordan has served in the House for about 20 years and chairs the House Judiciary Committee, but he has not previously held a senior leadership post in the party. The outlets described him as a strong defender of President Donald Trump and noted he helped found the House Freedom Caucus.

Jordan and Scalise both sought the speakership in 2023 after Republicans removed then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Scalise withdrew before a floor vote, and Jordan was unable to secure enough support, the Louisiana Illuminator reported.

In other leadership races, House Republicans reelected Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota as whip and Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan as conference chair, according to the House Republican Conference. McClain said the party's goal in the coming Congress would be to "earn back the trust of the American people and take back this House," the outlets reported. Rep. Brian Jack of Georgia was selected to lead the National Republican Congressional Committee, the party's House campaign organization.

In the Senate, Republicans also met privately Tuesday and kept Sen. John Thune of South Dakota as their leader. Senate Republicans will likewise be in the minority starting in January, with Democrats set to hold at least 54 and possibly 56 seats, according to the reports. Democratic candidates Mary Peltola in Alaska and Scott Colom in Mississippi lead in races the AP has not yet called.

Compiled by True News from reporting by Louisiana Illuminator, Iowa Capital Dispatch, South Dakota Searchlight and Wisconsin Examiner. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/944