(Thérèse Boudreaux, The Center Square) In a surprising move, the U.S. House Republican Conference elected current House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to the position of minority leader in the 120th Congress.
The 106 – 73 vote is a blow to current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had pitched himself as the most logical choice for the role given his more relevant experience.
Jordan, by contrast, had argued that Republicans needed to change their political tactics and “present clear alternatives to the progressive policies of the Democrats.” He also pointed to his work on the House Oversight Committee, arguing that he is “battle-tested” and “know[s] the Democrats’ playbook.”
The conference also elected current Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., to the position of Minority Whip by similar margins. The 103-36 vote rejected Chairman of the Republican Study Committee August Pfluger from Texas.
Current Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain from Michigan also won her reelection bid against two challengers, Rep. Erin Houchin from Indiana and Rep. Greg Steube from Florida, in a 93-57-27 vote.
Current National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Brian Jack, R-Ga., was also reelected to his position.
Congressional Democrats will hold their leadership elections next week. Current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is widely expected to take House Speaker Mike Johnson’s, R-La., place as speaker when the 120th House of Representatives is sworn in Jan. 3.
Johnson did not attempt to run for any leadership positions in the 120th Congress after House Democrats flipped at least 44 seats in the midterm elections.
