Scalise Seeks House GOP Leader Post as Jordan Eyes Challenge

Democrats are expected to finish with an 81-seat House majority after flipping 29 seats in the 2026 midterms, along with seven Senate seats, taking control of both chambers on election night. House Speaker Mike Johnson told staff he will not run for Minority Leader, per Fox News cited by The Gateway Pundit. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has launched a bid for the next House Republican leader role. Jim Jordan, House Judiciary Committee chairman, is a potential challenger. Jordan ran for House Speaker in 2023 after Kevin McCarthy was ousted by a Motion to Vacate and announced in September plans to step down as top Republican on the committee. Scalise's 2023 speaker bid failed to secure enough support. Hakeem Jeffries is likely to become Speaker of the House. Contested: no contested claims found in record. The House GOP leadership contest is next.