House Republicans have chosen Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) as their leader when they become the minority pitted against a massive Democratic majority in the next Congress. By a vote of 106-73 Tuesday, they picked the chairman of the judiciary committee over current Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA).

Scalise is the more polished and accomplished legislator, but the GOP conference showed it wanted a leader whose principal quality is pugnaciousness. Clearly it weighed heavily with Jordan’s colleagues that leadership will be a very different job come January 2027 than it is today. We might have preferred Scalise, but it must be acknowledged that Jordan has qualities that could make him the right man for a tough job next year.

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