The US midterm elections reshaped the balance of power in Washington DC and broke Republican control of Congress.
Democrats are expected to take control of both chambers in January, and Republicans are preparing for a change in legislative leadership.
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On Tuesday, Republicans in the House and Senate will hold elections to choose party leadership for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term.
Several senior positions are at stake, including minority leader, minority whip and chair of the conference. But what do these jobs entail and who is competing for them?
What are the key leadership positions for minorities?
The United States has long had a two-party system centered on the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, with each party forming its own leadership in Congress.
The purpose is to present a united front on legislation and other parliamentary issues.
When the 120th Congress is sworn in this January, Republicans will be in the minority in both chambers.
Democrats would have a majority of at least 54 seats in the 100-seat Senate, and a majority of at least 254 seats in the 435-seat House.
For Republicans to organize as a minority party, they need to elect leaders in both the House and Senate.
The minority leader in a given chamber is the most senior member of the party with the fewest seats. The party leader serves as the party’s chief spokesperson, coordinating legislative strategy and negotiating with the majority party.
Minority Whip is the second highest ranking leadership position. Whips count votes, communicate with members, and work to support party positions and keep party members united.
Republicans also select other leadership positions, such as a conference chair, who oversees internal conferences and helps shape the party’s message. Committee chairs must also be selected to help develop legislative priorities.
Who is running for House Minority Leadership?
The biggest issue in the House is for the minority leader’s seat, which is between longtime rivals Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio.
Mr. Scalise has served in Republican leadership for more than a decade, serving as the House Majority Whip from 2014 to 2018 and the House Minority Whip from 2019 to 2022. He is presenting himself as an experienced leader who can unite the party and guide the Republican Party back into the minority.
Mr. Jordan, a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and a close ally of Mr. Trump, has taken a more aggressive approach to campaigning against the Democratic majority.
In a letter to colleagues, the Ohio congressman described himself as “tested and tested” and argued he could better coordinate his party’s response to Democratic-led investigations into the Trump administration.
The race for the party’s second-ranking minority whip is between the current majority whip, Tom Emmer of Minnesota, and August Pflueger of Texas.
Emmer aims to maintain his position. He acknowledged the party’s midterm losses, but insisted Republicans needed to remain united as they slipped into the minority.
Pflueger, who chairs the Republican Research Committee, has advocated for a change in leadership. In a letter to colleagues, he said the party needed “fresh ideas” and a clearer strategy to win back the House of Commons in 2028.
Who will lead Senate Republicans?
South Dakota’s Senate Majority Leader John Thune is trying to maintain his position as party leader in the chamber.
That would make him the minority leader when Democrats take control of the chamber in January.
Thune, who will succeed longtime Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2025, has so far faced no public challenger for his seat.
Wyoming Republican John Barrasso, who currently holds the majority party, is also expected to seek reelection as the Senate’s No. 2 leader.
However, there is some opposition to holding a Senate leadership election so soon after defeat in the midterm elections.
Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin argued that Republicans should have more time to evaluate the election results and advocated delaying the vote.
“It’s not like we have to quickly form a majority in the Senate and do everything in committee. We have time,” Johnson told Fox News.
“This is a time for reflection. This is not the time to just make hasty, knee-jerk decisions.”
Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and others have expressed support for Johnson’s campaign.
“There is no need to hold a Senate Republican leadership election until (1) we have had ample opportunity to discuss what happened on Tuesday and (2) we know who will be in session,” Lee wrote on social media.
What will happen to Mike Johnson?
Mike Johnson will lose his job as Speaker of the House if Democrats take control of the chamber in January. The Speaker is elected by the entire House of Representatives, with the majority traditionally nominating someone from within their own party.
Mr. Johnson has announced that he will not seek the House minority leader’s seat, clearing the way for Mr. Scalise and Mr. Jordan to compete for the top Republican post.
But Mr Johnson has no intention of leaving parliament. He will remain in the House of Representatives and continue to represent his district in Louisiana.
Tuesday’s intraparty elections will determine who will lead the Republican Party through its transition to the minority as it prepares to challenge Democratic control of Congress.
The leadership race will also test whether Republicans intend to continue supporting Mr. Trump’s policies or reconsider their approach.
