House Republicans returned to Capitol Hill from a midterm wipeout and, on Tuesday, elected as their new leader Rep. Jim Jordan, a Freedom Caucus founder and reformed political bomb-thrower who is now charged with marshalling the chamber’s smallest GOP minority since the 1990s.
The vote among Republican lawmakers was 106-73. The leadership race pitted Mr. Jordan, who rose to prominence as an ally of the conservative tea party movement, against House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, who is used to brokering agreements between party factions.
Mr. Jordan chairs the House Judiciary Committee, a credential the Ohio congressman touted to Republicans preparing for Democratic investigations of President Trump and his circle.
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“I just appreciate his fighting spirit,” said Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican who backed Mr. Jordan.
In Tuesday’s election, Mr. Jordan secured the early support of the conference’s conservative faction, whose proportional power increased after several moderate members lost in swing districts.
Rep. Brian Babin, Texas Republican, said his party needs to unify to make a 2028 comeback and regain ground in states such as his own.
“We’ve got to rebuild this team; we’ve got to quit pointing the fingers,” he said, adding that members must vote with the party and stop leaking private conversations to the press.
A longtime member of leadership, Mr. Scalise touted his experience and said he could help Republicans deliver legislative wins for their districts while in the minority.
Mr. Scalise argued he could help win back lost districts.
“I’ve got a proven record. [I know] how to bring people together,” he said. “I can go to the most ruby-red or the most swing district, and we’re going to have to go back to those swing districts we lost, and we’ll get those back.”
After the Election Day drubbing, the Republican minority leader will lead a much smaller Republican conference and won’t be able to dictate the House’s agenda.
The third time was the charm for Mr. Jordan, who has twice sought to lead House Republicans.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, did not run.
As House Judiciary Committee Chair during President Biden’s administration, Mr. Jordan subpoenaed administration officials and Ivy League college presidents, creating viral moments for the GOP.
Over the past two years, he has continued to ally himself with President Trump, joining his administration in calling for an extension of expiring federal surveillance powers.
Mr. Jordan built up his clout before the leadership election by aggressively campaigning and fundraising for fellow House candidates in the midterms.
Mr. Jordan has now completed a transformation from a GOP rebel to party leader.
The first chairman of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, he was a leading player in the ouster of Republican Speaker John Boehner, who later called Mr. Jordan a “legislative terrorist.”
Mr. Boehner, a foe of Mr. Jordan’s faction, said in a CBS interview, “I just never saw a guy who spent more time tearing things apart – never building anything, never putting anything together.”
In recent years, Mr. Jordan has progressively moved closer to the center of power within the GOP, using his Judiciary Committee gavel to grill the foes of the MAGA movement.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, Florida Republican who backed Mr. Scalise, was blunt about Republicans being locked out of power.
“When you’re in the minority, there aren’t many legislative wins,” he said.
“The Democrats have a [majority]. They’re going to be able to do whatever they want,” he said. “What we have to do is highlight exactly what the Democrats want to do and how their agenda is really not … what the American people voted them in power for.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Minnesota Republican, remained in leadership as minority whip.
He beat Rep. August Pfluger, Texas Republican, who challenged him for the number-two post in the House GOP.
The whip is responsible for ensuring party members vote according to leadership’s instructions.
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