House girds for post-midterm leadership elections - Semafor

Election Day won’t be the end of elections for both parties in the House, with new leadership races set to kick off immediately after the results are known.

For Republicans, a lot rides on whether Tuesday’s balloting substantially diminishes their ranks. Most expect Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Steve Scalise of Louisiana to make a play for minority leader, though Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled he might still try for the GOP’s top spot.

Majority Whip Tom Emmer has said he wants to stay in his current job, but other surprise contestants may jump in: Conference Chair Lisa McClain, for example, could face a repeat challenge from Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Politico reported.

Democrats haven’t announced their own leadership election schedule yet, but Hakeem Jeffries is expected to easily win an internal vote for party leader despite skepticism from some progressives.

Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., aren’t expected to face opposition for their leadership jobs.

There’s likely to be more drama for Democratic positions lower on the ladder, largely for challenges to sitting committee leaders. Expect a heated race for the Financial Services gavel, with Reps. Sean Casten and Bill Foster of Illinois likely running against incumbent Financial Services ranking member Maxine Waters of California. (Though Foster isn’t sure, according to Politico.)

Reps. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut are running for the top slot on the Education and Workforce Committee against current head Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia.

Reps. Shontel Brown of Ohio and Jim Costa of California are competing to be the top Agriculture Committee Democrat. Reps. Lauren Underwood of Illinois and Sara Jacobs of California are also vying for the caucus vice chair position, which will open up if House Democrats take the majority.

Members’ lagging caucus dues payments to the DCCC might also factor into these races, with House Democrats mulling a rules change to mandate that dues are paid in order to serve on top committees.