Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise jump into race to replace Mike Johnson: reports

Republicans suffered a stinging defeat on Tuesday evening, with voters handing Democrats control of both chambers of Congress by clear margins.

Published: November 4, 2026 10:25am

Updated: November 4, 2026 10:34am

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have thrown their hats into the ring to replace Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after he said Wednesday that he would not run for minority leader in the next Congress.

Republicans suffered a stinging defeat on Tuesday evening, with voters handing Democrats control of both chambers of Congress by clear margins. Johnson subsequently announced he would not seek to remain the party's leader in the lower chamber.

Jordan and Scalise, so far, are the first two Republicans to throw their hats in the ring, Fox News reported.

Scalise was right-hand man to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and later Johnson. Jordan, meanwhile, is most well-known for his investigations on the Judiciary Committee.

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

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News