Congress Watch · Report · File No. 261110-038
House GOP picks leader Tuesday as Jordan challenges Scalise; Thune expected to stay
Mike Johnson is stepping down from leadership after the midterm loss, and House Republicans will choose between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan by secret ballot. In the Senate, John Thune is unopposed so far, though some Republicans want the vote delayed.
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House and Senate Republicans meet behind closed doors Tuesday to choose their leaders for the new Congress, one week after Democrats won the House 1. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has said he will not run for minority leader and will step down from leadership 1.
That sets up a two-person race for the top House Republican job. Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana faces Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio, a founder of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus 12. Voting is by secret ballot, and the winner needs a majority of the conference 1.
Two pitches: unity or attack
Scalise, 61, has been the No. 2 House Republican since 2023 and is seen as more moderate than Jordan 2. He told colleagues he can unify House Republican factions against the "socialists" coming to Washington 1.
Jordan, 62, is pitching a tougher stance as Democrats plan investigations of President Trump and his administration 2. In a letter to colleagues, he took a swipe at the current leadership team 2.
From Channel GOPMike Johnson says polls were wildly inaccurateMike Johnson · 216 plays · captioned, with the source named
I am battle-tested on the oversight front and I know the Democrats' playbook.
The two also faced off in 2023, after Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker. Republicans ultimately chose Johnson after multiple candidates failed to win enough votes 2. Trump has stayed out of this race so far, though he endorsed Jordan in 2023 2.
Other House jobs are contested too. Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota faces a challenge from Rep. August Pfluger of Texas for the No. 2 post in the minority. Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan faces two challengers 1.
Senate: Thune unopposed, but a delay push
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota is running for minority leader. As of now, nobody has announced plans to oppose him 13. Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming and Conference Chairman Tom Cotton of Arkansas are expected to keep their posts 1.
A group of Republican senators wants the vote postponed. Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania called the midterms the "worst election result" for Republicans "in decades" and said Tuesday is too soon 3. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah also back a delay 3.
Conservatives tried the same after the 2022 and 2024 elections and failed to win a majority 3. The senators who want a delay will get a chance to make their case Tuesday morning 3.
What Democrats are doing
NBC News projects Democrats will hold 259 House seats. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the favorite to become speaker, with the vote set for Jan. 3 1. House Democrats choose their team next week, and Senate Democrats vote in early December 1.
The pattern here is a party deciding whether to double down or reset. Whoever wins will lead Republican opposition to a Democratic House that plans a long list of investigations 2.
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Sources
- NBC News, “Republicans, reeling from an election drubbing, will choose their leadership in Congress” (2026-11-10). nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-reeling-election-c
- NPR, “House Republicans to elect a new leader as they look to rebuild from midterm defeat” (2026-11-10). npr.org/2026/11/10/nx-s1-6030988/gop-leadership-election-ste
- The Hill, “Senate Republican calls for delayed leadership election” (2026-11-09). thehill.com/homenews/senate/6207507-dave-mccormick-senate-go
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More from the files
Scalise and Jordan battle to lead shrunken House GOP minority
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is running for minority leader after Speaker Mike Johnson stepped aside, setting up a contest with Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan over the direction of the House Republican conference.
Speaker Mike Johnson steps down as House GOP leader after midterm losses
A day after Democrats won the House majority, Speaker Mike Johnson told staff he will not stay on as Republican leader, opening a contest over the party's direction.
Scalise tells House GOP chairs to 'take inventory' of coming Democratic probes
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise wrote to Republican committee chairs on Thursday. He told them to prepare for Democratic investigations and use their remaining time in power. Democrats retake the House next year.
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