The Louisiana Republican announced on Wednesday morning on an all-staff call that he will not run for House minority leader for the new Congress next year, following Tuesday’s historical Democratic landslide takeover of the House of Representatives.
It’s not clear yet if Johnson has anointed a successor to lead the Republican caucus. Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has already thrown his hat into the ring and announced he’s running for House minority leader. According to Punchbowl News, Jordan’s pitch will be that new blood is needed and that he specializes in investigations.
The current number two Republican in the House, Representative Steve Scalise, also announced that he is running for caucus leader.
jordan is a creep and criminal too
It’s going to be Scalisce. The donors won’t touch Jordon. Aside from being a degenerate, he’s also a moron and a bad hang.
Yep. Even among Rs the leader has to be able to work with all, and Gym Jordan does NOT have that ability. Last time he was in the running for leadership, in multiple rounds of voting he only ever lost votes, never gained.
On the other hand, I can’t even count the number of times Scalise has almost been Republican leader and then lost to someone else. I mean almost every single Congress for the last dozen years, and specifically against Keven McCarthy more than once. Scalise has also been whip at least once, which is a help, and they all seem to like him.
So yeah, Scalise was my first thought as well. But all those other times he was actively campaigning for leadership, and there is the possibility he may not want it now, in which case it’s anybody’s guess.
But it won’t be Jordan, any more than it would ever be Ted Cruz: they just don’t like him that much, and he’s a bully. Republicans like bullies in general; they just don’t like being bullied.
I also think it’s telling that in 2023, the one time Jordan actually got close to being Speaker for a hot second because they just couldn’t pick one after multiple rounds of voting, they finally removed Jordan from the race for Speaker by secret ballot.
I think you’re right. It’s possible but HIGHLY unlikely that the minority leader will be Jordan, IMO.