Jim Jordan Reportedly Elected House Republican Minority Leader

House Republicans reportedly elected Ohio Representative Jim Jordan as their minority leader for the new Congress on Tuesday, November 10. Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, defeated Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise, the current majority leader. Republicans are preparing to enter the minority next year after losing their House majority in the midterm elections. Jordan had announced his candidacy in a signed November 4 letter to Republican colleagues seeking their support to lead the conference in the 120th Congress. He said Republicans needed to learn from the election results and restore voters’ confidence in their ability to deliver on the party’s priorities. He called for an active leadership team, coordinated responses to Democratic policies, clear alternatives and direct communication with the public. “We need close coordination in an open, honest, and regular manner,” Jordan wrote. A founding member of the House Freedom Caucus and an ally of President Donald Trump, Jordan presented his oversight experience as preparation for leading Republicans in opposition. In the November 4 letter, he said Democratic-led committees would investigate the administration and private entities. He asked colleagues to back him and pledged to spend the next two years advancing Republican priorities and working to restore the majority.