Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., on Thursday backed Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in his bid to become House minority leader in the next Congress.

Harris is the leader of the Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline budget hawks originally founded by Jordan and eight other lawmakers. It currently boasts 31 members.

"I think the fight for minority is between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan and I think Jim Jordan's the type of communicator when need," Harris said on Newsmax. "I think Tom Emmer probably will remain the whip, but I think a lot of the other positions will undergo changes, which is expected when you get a drubbing in an election."

House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he will not seek to remain party leader when the GOP enters the minority in the next Congress. Current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has also announced his bid to lead House Republicans, setting up an internal battle for leadership.

Jordan has long been on the conservative side of the Republican conference and mounted an unsuccessful bid for speaker after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy. His candidacy was blocked by opposition from moderate lawmakers, many of whom have since lost their seats or retired.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.