House Republicans elect Jim Jordan as their leader after midterm losses; Brian Mast and Anna Paulina Luna praise his fighting style, and Ted Lieu says the party chose the more extreme candidate
House Republicans chose Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio over Rep. Steve Scalise, 106 to 73, on November 10, 2026, to lead them in the next Congress. Supporters cite his record fighting Democrats; Democratic lawmakers say the party chose its more extreme candidate.
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Jordan, 62, has represented Ohio in the House for two decades. He co-founded the House Freedom Caucus and was its first chairman, and he chairs the House Judiciary Committee, but he had not held a senior party leadership post. He and Scalise both sought the speakership after Kevin McCarthy was removed in 2023; neither secured it, and the job went to Johnson.
The Associated Press had called 166 seats for Republicans and 255 for Democrats in the incoming Congress when the vote took place, leaving Republicans with their smallest House minority since the 1990s. In the same round of elections, Republicans reelected Tom Emmer as whip and Lisa McClain as conference chair. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become speaker in January.
People in this case
Jim JordanDirectly involved
Steve ScaliseDirectly involved
Timeline
2 timeline entries on this page. Dates: November 10, 2026
November 2026
House Republicans elect Jordan as their leader, 106 to 73
Incident
In a closed-door, secret-ballot vote of members who will serve in the next Congress, Jordan defeats Rep. Steve Scalise to become House Republican leader. Republicans reelect Tom Emmer as whip and Lisa McClain as conference chair.
[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report on the House Republican leadership election, with the 106-73 vote, Jordan's remarks to reporters and comments from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
AP: Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio elected to lead House Republicans in the minority · Associated PressArticle text, as published on WECT[02]States Newsroom: US House Republicans elect Ohio firebrand Jim Jordan to lead party in next Congress
States Newsroom report on the closed-door vote, the other leadership races and the size of the incoming Republican minority.
States Newsroom: US House Republicans elect Ohio firebrand Jim Jordan to lead party in next CongressArticle text, as published by the Daily MontananJordan says Republicans will offer more freedom
Reaction
In brief remarks to reporters after the vote, Jordan says House Republicans will fight for American families over the next two years and will offer more freedom when Democrats offer more government.
[02]States Newsroom: US House Republicans elect Ohio firebrand Jim Jordan to lead party in next Congress
States Newsroom report on the closed-door vote, the other leadership races and the size of the incoming Republican minority.
States Newsroom: US House Republicans elect Ohio firebrand Jim Jordan to lead party in next CongressArticle text, as published by the Daily Montanan[01]Associated Press
Associated Press report on the House Republican leadership election, with the 106-73 vote, Jordan's remarks to reporters and comments from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
AP: Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio elected to lead House Republicans in the minority · Associated PressArticle text, as published on WECT
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Reporting
AP: Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio elected to lead House Republicans in the minority
Relevant passage: Article text, as published on WECT
About this source
Associated Press report on the House Republican leadership election, with the 106-73 vote, Jordan's remarks to reporters and comments from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
- Author
- Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Ayanna Pressley on X: House Republicans just made Jim Jordan their Minority Leader
About this source
Pressley's post reacting to Jordan's election as House Republican leader, listing what she describes as his record.
- Author
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
States Newsroom: US House Republicans elect Ohio firebrand Jim Jordan to lead party in next Congress
Relevant passage: Article text, as published by the Daily Montanan
About this source
States Newsroom report on the closed-door vote, the other leadership races and the size of the incoming Republican minority.
- Author
- Ariana Figueroa and Shauneen Miranda, States Newsroom
- Published
- Accessed
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- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- House Republicans elect Jim Jordan as their leader after midterm losses; Brian Mast and Anna Paulina Luna praise his fighting style, and Ted Lieu says the party chose the more extreme candidate
- First published
- Last updated
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The Dispute Index. "House Republicans elect Jim Jordan as their leader after midterm losses; Brian Mast and Anna Paulina Luna praise his fighting style, and Ted Lieu says the party chose the more extreme candidate". First published: 2026-11-13. Last updated: 2026-11-13. https://disputeindex.com/cases/house-republicans-elect-jim-jordan-leader-reactions