House Republicans Choose Jim Jordan as Leader After Midterm Defeat
Jordan defeated Steve Scalise to lead the incoming House Republican minority, replacing Mike Johnson as the party confronts sweeping election losses and prepares for the next Congress.
By Hushread Stories, from 35 outlets · First published 10 Nov 2026
In brief
- House Republicans elected Jim Jordan on Tuesday to lead their minority in the next Congress, beginning in January.
- Jordan defeated Steve Scalise 106-73 in a secret ballot after Republicans' sweeping midterm losses.
- Mike Johnson announced he was stepping down from leadership after Republicans lost control of both chambers.
- Jordan will replace Johnson as House Republican leader as the party seeks to regroup after its defeat.
- Republicans will be the minority party in both chambers during the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency.
Timeline · 7 moments
Jordan to lead House Republicans starting in January
NPR Politics ↗Jordan and Thune emerge as minority leaders
World News CNA ↗Republicans lose control of both chambers of Congress
The Hindu ↗Thune expected to stay despite push for delay
NBC News ↗Jordan and Scalise face off for House leadership
ABCNews.com ↗Johnson declines to seek the minority leader position
Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto CA News and Weather - KCRA Channel 3 ↗Republicans assess their biggest election losses in decades
NYT Politics ↗Update 11 Nov 2026, 2:29 pm UTC
NPR Politics reports Jordan will take over at the start of the new Congress in January. The Hill describes the choice as an effort to move Republicans beyond their midterm losses; the election result and outcome in the published piece remain unchanged.
Update 11 Nov 2026, 8:19 am UTC
The leadership result is unchanged, but newer coverage adds that Republicans lost control of both chambers and will be the minority party in each. Mike Johnson is stepping down from leadership, and Jordan will replace him as House Republican leader.
Update 11 Nov 2026, 2:16 am UTC
The leadership vote is now settled: Jim Jordan defeated Steve Scalise 106-73 in a secret ballot, according to AP. Al Jazeera reported that Jordan will succeed Mike Johnson and promised unity and a robust opposition.
How it started
House Republicans entered their leadership election facing a return to the minority after sweeping midterm losses. NYT Politics described the defeat as their biggest election losses in decades.
The opening came when Speaker Mike Johnson announced he would not seek the minority leader position in the next Congress, according to KCRA Channel 3. That left Republicans choosing both a successor and someone to lead a diminished conference.
How it unfolded
Ahead of the Tuesday, November 10 vote, Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise emerged as the contenders. ABCNews.com reported that the contest took place as Republicans digested the previous week's midterm blowout.
The leadership decisions extended beyond the House. NBC News reported on November 10 that John Thune was expected to remain Senate Republican leader, despite a conservative push to delay the process. That was an expectation, not a reported result.
Later Tuesday, House Republicans elected Jordan to lead the incoming minority, according to Reuters. The New York Post reported that he defeated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
Where it stands
The House contest is settled: Jordan will lead Republicans in the next Congress. The Hill reported his election as minority leader of the party's diminished conference.
The choice puts a close Trump ally at the head of House Republicans after their election defeat. NYT Politics described Jordan's selection over Scalise as a signal that Republicans wanted fresh leadership.
What to watch
The next test is how Jordan leads Republicans in the minority when the new Congress begins. The Daily Beast Latest Articles reported that the party will enter the minority in January. The supplied coverage establishes the leadership choice, but does not set out a detailed rebuilding plan.
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