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Archive photo · 21 April 2015Jim Jordan Elected House Republican Leader, Winning 106-73 Over Steve Scalise
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Jim Jordan defeated Steve Scalise 106-73 to become House Republican leader. He will lead Republicans in the House as Democrats assume control in January.
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Jordan leads GOP minority
Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives chose Jim Jordan of Ohio as their leader for the next Congress after the party’s midterm defeat, with the vote reported as 106 to 73 against Steve Scalise.
The election took place in a closed-door meeting, and Jordan, 62, would play a “fundamental role” in the new phase opening on January 3 when Democrats take office with a majority in both chambers.
Jordan won a secret-ballot contest by Republicans who will serve in the upcoming Congress, and Jordan would inherit a “historically small Republican conference” as President Donald Trump serves his final two years in office.
Reuters was cited by Aurora Israel as saying Republicans were expected to choose caucus leaders as Democrats take control of both chambers in January, while the same Reuters-linked account said John Thune arrived at the day without a declared rival to head the minority in the Senate.
Centrist warnings vs Trump wing
Dave Joyce, a senior Republican from Ohio, warned Jim Jordan that “We can’t double down on stupid,” recalling he told Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise ahead of the leadership race.
Joyce said, “What happened to us was a message, clear and very loud, that people don’t like the way we’re been moving in the wrong direction,” while Joyce and other centrist Republicans urged GOP leaders to forgo “scorched-earth attacks” on Democrats.
Jordan’s election was by secret ballot and behind closed doors, and Jordan warned Democrats would seek to investigate the Trump administration and that Republicans must be prepared.
Jordan told colleagues, “I’m seasoned on the front lines of oversight and I know the Democrats’ playbook,” as it described Jordan’s combative committee style and his role as chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Next Congress and 2028
Mike Johnson would remain Speaker until the end of his term and Jordan’s leadership would begin in the new Congress on January 3, when Democrats take control of both chambers.
Republicans would have to coordinate their legislative agenda from the minority and the Republican Senate caucus would decide when to bargain over bills with the majority and when to maintain a common position against Democratic initiatives.
Jordan warned about upcoming Democratic oversight efforts, with numerous investigations planned into Trump’s administration, and it added that Democrats will hold their leadership elections next week.
Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, a strong Jordan ally, told CNN that “Our moderation is this: the Constitution is our moderation,” as it described Republicans preparing for a “nasty 2028 presidential primary cycle” and the party’s internal leadership reshuffle after the election loss.