Ohio Conservative Jim Jordan Defeats Outgoing House Majority Leader Steve Scalise

Ohio conservative Jim Jordan has defeated Steve Scalise, the outgoing House Majority Leader, in a contest that pitted calls for a fresh start against arguments for retaining experienced leadership, as the Republican party prepares to serve in the minority in the next Congress, reports the South China Morning Post. Jordan, who is 62 years old, won the contest which featured arguments for maintaining experienced leadership versus calls for a fresh start. Multiple media reports citing attendees at the closed-door party meeting indicated the vote tally was 106 to 73. Jordan, who has served as a member of the House for 20 years from Ohio, is a prominent figure within the party's conservative wing and currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee. Jordan had contended that the Republican party required a different strategy following its recent losses.