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Jim Jordan Smacks Down Scalise To Claim GOP Leadership

Jim Jordan Smacks Down Scalise To Claim GOP Leadership

Jim Jordan is the new leader of House Republicans. He beat Steve Scalise in a secret vote held on Tuesday. The numbers are clear. Jordan received 106 votes. Scalise received 73. This result was confirmed by Fox News.


The vote took place behind closed doors. No one in the room had to say who they picked. Incumbent members and those elected last week cast the ballots. They chose Jordan to lead the party in the next Congress. The Federalist noted this is a historic moment. This top spot is held by a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus for the first time.

Both men ran hard to win the support of their colleagues. Jordan argued he knows how to fight. He pointed to his time leading the Judiciary Committee. He also mentioned his work on the Oversight panel.

Scalise offered a different path. He leaned on his long time in leadership. He said he has brought the party back from the minority before. He told reporters ahead of a forum, “This is the start of our move to get the country back on track and get the majority back, but obviously, we’re going to have a lot of internal conversations”.

The question on everyone’s mind was how to handle President Trump. Members asked both men about their relationship with him. They also asked about leaks to the press. Jordan has long been seen as a top defender of the President. The Daily Caller reported that both candidates campaigned on fighting Democrat investigations.

Jordan sees a tough road ahead. He warned that Democrats will try to hurt the economy. He wrote, “We can expect Democrat legislation to wreak havoc on every sector of our economy and transform time-tested American institutions”. He believes the other side is ready to attack.

He said the opposition has already shown their plans. “Meanwhile, Democrats have already signaled their true intentions. Each Democrat-led committee will turn its full attention to investigating every facet of the Administration and private entities across the country”.

Scalise agreed that the opposition has big plans. He warned his team that the Democrats will “unleash the most radical ‘oversight’ agenda we have seen in years”. He added that they will target more than just the President. He said, “They have made clear they will undertake a comprehensive approach that will target President Trump’s family, key cabinet officials, and any ally who has supported our America First agenda, including outside conservative partners and industry leaders”.

This win is a big step for Jordan. It comes after a failed bid for Speaker in 2023. RedState called it a political comeback. He spent the last two years traveling to support other GOP candidates. This work built his support base. He now directs the conference during the final two years of the Trump administration.


Some allies see his style as a perfect fit. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald told Fox News Digital that Jordan “understands what we’re up against.” He added, “His ability to communicate is really kind of unrivaled by anybody else in the House right now.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson did not run for this spot. Last week, he declared that he would not seek the position. He has not said if he will serve out his full term. The choice is made. Jordan will take the gavel when the new Congress starts in January. Scalise will no longer hold the number two spot.

Written by Mark Stevens - November 11, 2026