<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>DALLAS </strong>— Speculation regarding Rep. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/jim-jordan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jim Jordan</a> (R-OH) and a potential bid for House GOP leader increased as Republicans convened for their <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4720173/takeaways-first-night-republican-midterm-convention/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">midterm convention</a> in Texas.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jordan, the chairman of the judiciary committee, stated he hasn’t “even thought” about next year and the possibility of a leadership change if Republicans lose their narrow House majority.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We’re going to hold it,” he said in an interview. “We’re gonna stay focused on winning, which is what we have to do, which is what, I believe, is best for America.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jordan has expressed interest in ascending to the top of House leadership, having run for speaker twice, most recently in 2023. His recent announcement that he <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4720045/jim-jordan-house-judiciary-oversight-committee-leadership/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">would not seek</a> leadership positions on Judiciary and another investigative committee raised questions about his political future.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Current House Speaker <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/mike-johnson/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Johnson</a> (R-LA) is expected to continue as speaker for a third term if Republicans perform well on Election Day. The party currently holds a two-seat majority and is relying on redistricting to mitigate President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump’s</a> low approval ratings and typical challenges faced by the party in power.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If polls indicate a loss of their House majority, Johnson could step down and be replaced by one of his deputies or Jordan, who has recently engaged with the centrist faction of his party.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Johnson has not confirmed whether he would run for minority leader next year but stated that Rep. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/hakeem-jeffries/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hakeem Jeffries</a> (D-NY) would continue to hold that title.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We are going to hold the majority,” Johnson said during the convention. “We’re going to defy history.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Republicans are aware of potential candidates for a contested leadership election, recalling that Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MO), and Jordan struggled to secure votes needed to replace ousted Speaker <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/kevin-mccarthy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kevin McCarthy</a> before Johnson emerged as a unity candidate.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Since then, they have campaigned across the country for incumbents and GOP candidates. Jordan has notably shifted his approach, engaging in fundraising for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which he previously avoided.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As a founding member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, he was once criticized by Speaker John Boehner but has since acted as a bridge between House leadership and GOP dissenters. He has also moderated his stance on certain policy issues, including FISA, the foreign surveillance program.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During the convention, Republicans were hesitant to discuss potential leadership changes that would only arise from electoral defeat.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“It’s not a time to talk about what we’re going to do after the election,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chairman of the NRCC. “We got to stay focused on the election.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jordan did not provide a direct answer regarding a potential run, stating he is “totally focused” on helping House Republicans win in November. He previously ran unsuccessfully for minority leader following Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement in 2018.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Those familiar with Jordan believe he will remain active in leadership discussions next year.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“He will never be a back bencher,” said Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN), who supported Jordan's last leadership bid.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Former Rep. Matt Gaetz indicated that Jordan’s withdrawal from the Judiciary Committee suggests he is aiming for a larger role.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Running for leader typically isn’t an itch that goes away with one scratch,” Gaetz said.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The same challenges that hindered Jordan’s 2023 speaker bid — opposition from establishment Republicans — could again affect his leadership aspirations.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, a lower vote threshold is required to become minority leader compared to speaker, which may work in his favor.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Speakers are elected by the entire House and must secure broad support, while the opposition party leader only needs a simple majority of their members.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jordan is seen as more suited to lead Republicans in the minority due to his partisan reputation, facing less scrutiny regarding consensus-building. He has led investigations into Democrats through his roles on the judiciary and oversight committees.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a retiring Republican who opposed Jordan’s speaker candidacy, stated that the conference should support the candidate who earns a majority of votes. Bacon's opposition stemmed from loyalty to McCarthy and the manner of his removal.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We have a process and people should respect it,” Bacon said. “A small group should not be able to bully 223 members, and that’s what we had. We had to beat them at their own game and teach them a lesson. The squishes got a backbone.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If Democrats regain the majority, it may be Jeffries who faces similar challenges from the Left, who may demand assurances of progressive governance.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jeffries recently faced criticism from his left flank after meeting with <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/jared-kushner/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jared Kushner</a>, the president’s son-in-law, to discuss potential areas of agreement.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>REDISTRICTING PUSHES VULNERABLE HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO THE RIGHT IN FLORIDA</strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I don’t think any speaker is ever a shoo-in, and I don’t think Leader Jeffries even views it that way,” said Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), one of the House Democrats who attended the Texas convention to counter the Republican event. “Like, nobody takes anything for granted, right?”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Crow emphasized that “nobody is entitled to anything,” but commended Jeffries for taking his role seriously.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Naomi Lim contributed to this report.</em></p>