House GOP Elects Jordan as Minority Leader
Republicans restructured House leadership after midterm setbacks, and incoming freshmen gathered on the Capitol steps for an official class photo.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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House Republicans elected Ohio Representative Jim Jordan as House Minority Leader, and Tom Emmer was retained as Minority Whip after defeating Texas Representative August Pfluger. Senate Republicans voted to keep John Thune as leader of the Senate Republican Conference.
Why it matters
The leadership changes followed significant setbacks in the midterm elections and come as Democrats prepare to take over the House majority. The shifts set the Republican leadership structure heading into the new Congress.
Democrats now control legislatures in 24 states, covering 75 per cent of the US population. The 120th Congress term begins January 3, 2027, and vote tallies for the leadership elections were not provided.
The players
Jim Jordan
Jim Jordan is a Republican congressman from Ohio who now serves as House Minority Leader.
Tom Emmer
Tom Emmer is a Republican congressman from Minnesota who was retained as House Minority Whip.
John Thune
John Thune is a Republican senator from South Dakota who was re-elected leader of the Senate Republican Conference.
August Pfluger
August Pfluger is a Republican congressman from Texas who lost the House Minority Whip race to Tom Emmer.
The details
Newly elected House members gathered on the Capitol steps in Washington, DC on November 12, 2026 for an official freshman class photo. Party conferences selected the new leaders through internal votes, with Mike Johnson stepping aside from top House leadership.
Timeline
November 11, 2026: Republicans restructure congressional leadership and elect Jordan, Emmer and Thune.
November 12, 2026: Newly elected House members pose for the freshman class photo.
January 3, 2027: The 120th Congress term begins.
Political Context
Republican leaders retained their Senate and House posts as Democrats positioned themselves to take the House majority in the 120th Congress. The restructuring followed setbacks in the midterm elections that reshaped the partisan balance heading into the new term.
Leadership changes in the House and Senate shape which party sets the legislative agenda once the new Congress convenes. Readers should watch the January 3, 2027 start date for shifts in committee assignments and floor priorities.
The takeaway
Leadership reshuffles after an election often signal how each party plans to govern the next Congress. Tracking the January 3, 2027 start of the 120th Congress will show how these new roles translate into policy.
What happens next
The 120th Congress term begins on January 3, 2027, when the new House and Senate leadership take their posts.
Further reading
Explore more on Legislative Policy to see how these leadership shifts connect to broader congressional agendas.
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