Following stunning losses, even in seats thought to be safe, some House Republicans say their conference’s leadership team needs to step aside. On Thursday, a handful of Republicans began trying to oust them.
After House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said Wednesday that he would not make a bid for minority leader, his No. 2, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (Louisiana), announced he would run for the position. Scalise is being challenged by his longtime rival, the firebrand conservative Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio). Jordan recently chaired the Judiciary Committee but was not in Johnson’s inner circle.
The current No. 3 House Republican, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minnesota), made clear ahead of the election that he would like to stay on as whip (in the minority, the whip will be the second-highest-ranking Republican). He is being challenged by Rep. August Pfluger (Texas), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest House GOP caucus.
House GOP Chair Lisa McClain (Michigan), the final member of Johnson’s leadership team, is being challenged by Reps. Erin Houchin (Indiana) and Greg Steube (Florida). As chairwoman, McClain was largely in charge of Republican messaging on the trail, and is publicly taking some flak from it from Houchin and Steube. McClain has touted the endorsement of 40 sitting and incoming members who’ve said they’ll back her.
On the Democratic side, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (New York) announced his speakership bid Wednesday and is widely expected to become the first Black speaker. On Thursday, Minority Whip Kathleen Clark (Massachusetts) announced her intention to run for majority leader, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (California) said he intends to run for whip. None are expected to face serious challenges when the caucus holds elections on Nov. 18 and Nov. 19.
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