Congressman Jim Jordan has emerged as the frontrunner to lead House Republicans in the minority after Democrats delivered a decisive setback in last week’s midterm elections.
Jordan’s allies privately say he has secured more than 100 votes—well above the roughly 82 needed to win the secret-ballot contest, according to Punchbowl News.
But the campaign of Congressman Steve Scalise is challenging that assessment.
The leadership race is shaping up as a test of the party’s direction. Republicans must decide whether to embrace a more combative approach after their election defeat or rely on Scalise’s years of leadership experience to help reclaim the majority in 2028.
Before the vote, Scalise said he was “feeling really good” about his prospects.
A final decision was expected later Tuesday.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do after today, but this is the start of our move to get the country back on track and to get the majority back,” Scalise said.
Even so, Jordan appeared to be building momentum during the closed-door candidate forum, Punchbowl News reported.
Jordan’s allies privately say he has more than 100 votes secured, comfortably above the roughly 82 needed to win the secret-ballot election. Scalise’s team disputes that claim.
The race has also attracted attention because neither President Donald Trump nor outgoing Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly endorsed a candidate.
Representative Scott Fitzgerald publicly declared his support for Jordan on Tuesday, saying, “I’m pulling for Jim Jordan, that’s no secret. I’ve been working with the chairman to garner the votes and help him fine-tune his message to the members.”
Jordan’s pitch has focused on his reputation as a fighter. Even some Scalise supporters privately acknowledged that the message appeared to be resonating with lawmakers following the party’s midterm defeat.
Several prominent Republicans have already backed Jordan.
Representative Mike Rulli publicly endorsed him. During the closed-door meeting, Rulli reportedly stood up and pressed House GOP leaders on what they intended to accomplish with the remainder of their time in the majority.
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Rulli said voters in his district were demanding more action than Republicans had delivered. His comments reportedly drew approving reactions and cheers from other lawmakers.
Fitzgerald also announced his support for Jordan on Tuesday, saying, “You’re not going to find a better fighter and better communicator.”
Representative Andy Harris, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, has likewise endorsed Jordan, saying the party needs to “change the team.”
Scalise, meanwhile, has attracted support from Republicans who view his seniority and leadership experience as the safer option.
Representative Rick Allen said he would vote for the Louisiana Republican, declaring, “He should get the Medal of Honor. I mean, he has laid it all out there.”
Representatives Mike Kelly, Nathaniel Moran and Mario Diaz-Balart have also lined up behind Scalise.
Diaz-Balart has argued that Scalise is best positioned to rebuild the party by refocusing its agenda on the economy and national security.
The contest has drawn additional attention because neither President Donald Trump nor outgoing Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly backed either candidate.
Trump said last week that he planned to stay out of the race.
Johnson has also declined to disclose a preference, saying Republican lawmakers should make the choice themselves.
“I want the body, I want the members to make those decisions themselves,” he said. “I’m not weighing in here on the leadership elections.”
The vote was initially scheduled for Tuesday morning, but a series of committee hearings delayed the leadership decision until the afternoon.
The newly elected leader will immediately confront a series of challenges, including how to respond to the Democratic Party’s planned investigations into the Trump administration in January.
