Divided House Republicans elected Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio to be their leader on Tuesday, elevating a pugilistic firebrand who has been a close ally of President Trump as they reel from a crushing defeat in the midterm elections. Jordan, the current chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will replace Speaker Mike Johnson next year, when Republicans are relegated to the minority and effectively shut out of power. He will inherit a fractious and diminished conference that was already plagued by bitter infighting before it lost control of the House.
Jordan was elected in a closed-door party meeting on Tuesday, according to two people who attended and disclosed the confidential results on the condition of anonymity. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, Republican of Florida, posted about it on social media. Jordan, 62, will play a critical role in his party’s efforts to chart a path back to the majority.
He will also lead Republicans’ efforts to shield Mr. Trump and his administration from an anticipated barrage of congressional investigations and oversight efforts from House Democrats. Jordan, House Republicans signaled a desire for fresh leadership after their biggest election losses in decades.
Jordan defeated Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who is currently the No. 2 Republican and who has been in leadership since 2014. 54 Democrats Dem. Republicans Rep. 50 44255 Democrats Dem. Republicans Rep. 218 166 But the conference was divided.
The vote was 106-to-73, according to one of the people who attended. Both men had repeatedly eyed the top job over the years only to come up short, including when they competed for the speakership in 2023 after Republicans essentially deposed Speaker Kevin McCarthy. But the political battle cost them both.
Scalise had the support of a majority of House Republicans, he ultimately withdrew after right-wing members continued to support Mr. Jordan, who had been endorsed by Mr. Embittered supporters of Mr.
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