Scalise announces bid for House GOP leadership against Jordan

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 19:16 · Archive

Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise has announced he will run for House Minority Leader, challenging Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.

Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise announced Wednesday that he intends to run for House Minority Leader in the new Congress being sworn in next January. Scalise made the decision after Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport said he would not pursue the minority leadership position following the GOP's losses in Tuesday's midterm elections. Scalise was re-elected Tuesday with 61 per cent support as representative for Louisiana's 1st Congressional District.

In a letter to Republican colleagues, Scalise wrote: 'Last night's election was far worse than any of us expected. We will need to be honest with ourselves about what happened, but it is more important now than ever for us to emerge from this stronger and united.' He said: 'The socialists are coming to Washington with a radical agenda that threatens the America we hold dear. That is why I'm running to be your Republican Leader — I am ready to lead on day one and chart our path back to the majority.'

Scalise, 61, has long courted backing from the House GOP's conservative wing, particularly business and energy sector lawmakers. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who helmed the Judiciary Committee, has long been preferred by the hard right including some members of the Freedom Caucus. Both men reached for the Speaker's gavel once Kevin McCarthy was forced aside in 2023 but failed to win majority support from colleagues. Johnson emerged as the consensus candidate and became House Speaker. Scalise has served since 2023 as House Minority Leader under Johnson.

How it is being reported

• Scalise to seek GOP’s House leadership position to help ward off ‘socialists’Metairie representative challenging Jim Jordan for House Minority LeaderWAFB · 4 Nov, 18:50
• Scalise to seek GOP’s House leadership position to help ward off ‘socialists’Metairie representative challenging Jim Jordan for House Minority LeaderKNOE · 4 Nov, 18:50

In this story: Steve Scalise · Jim Jordan · Mike Johnson · Louisiana · Ohio · Republican Party

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