House Republicans are bracing for life in the minority as a wave of Democratic wins puts their narrow majority at risk. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is preparing to seek the party’s top leadership post, according to two people familiar with his plans. That could set up a contest with Speaker Mike Johnson over who will lead Republicans in the House.
Democrats are projected to take control of the chamber for the rest of President Donald Trump’s term. Many Republicans had anticipated that Jordan would run for minority leader if the party lost its majority. He has spent months building support among colleagues and campaigning for Republican candidates around the country.
The next minority leader is likely to become one of Trump’s most prominent defenders as Democrats pursue investigations into his administration and possibly consider impeachment. Jordan has spent six years as the Judiciary Committee’s top Republican, often clashing with Democrats who are expected to play a central role in those efforts.
Jordan’s path to leadership is not without baggage. He ran for speaker in 2023 after Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy, but could not win enough votes. Some of the Republicans who opposed him said his supporters had pressured them publicly; in some cases, they said, that pressure included death threats.
Since then, Jordan has tried to broaden his appeal within the party. Once seen by some colleagues as a confrontational figure, he has worked to present himself as a unifying leader and campaigned for several moderates who had opposed his speaker bid.
Winning the minority leader post is also a simpler process than becoming speaker: a candidate needs the backing of a majority of their party, rather than a majority of the full House. Johnson has not said whether he will seek to lead Republicans in the minority, though many expect him to step aside.
Jordan could face a strong challenge from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Scalise has campaigned for Republicans across the country and built a reputation as a major fundraiser for the party.
The leadership question follows a rough election night for Republicans at both the federal and state levels. Democrats scored major victories, defeating Republicans in competitive districts as well as some traditionally safe GOP seats.
The losses have fueled calls among House Republicans for new leadership. That shift could benefit Jordan, though many of the moderates who opposed his 2023 speaker bid also lost their seats on election night.
