Rep. Jim Jordan is signaling a potential move toward a larger leadership role within the Republican Party as speculation grows about the GOP’s future in the House. 

Jordan, the Ohio Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has kept a lower profile in House GOP internal fights over the past year while supporting President Donald Trump and helping colleagues on the campaign trail.

As frustrations with Speaker Mike Johnson grow and many Republicans expect the party to lose its House majority in the November midterms, talk has increased about Jordan making another bid for top leadership.

Jordan ran for speaker in 2023 after Kevin McCarthy was removed from the post. He won a plurality of votes in internal GOP ballots but failed to secure the 218 votes needed on the House floor. Dozens of more moderate Republicans opposed him, citing his confrontational style.

In a recent interview, Jordan did not rule out another run if Johnson steps aside after the midterms. “I am totally focused on keeping the majority, which I think we’re going to do,” he said.

Building Support Across the Conference

Jordan has spent time traveling to districts and aiding vulnerable GOP members with campaign help and fundraising. He recently planned a trip to California to campaign with Rep. Vince Fong, who is aligned with McCarthy.

Also Read: Top Republican Linked to Scheme Protecting Illegal Immigrants in the Country

Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said he has seen Jordan work with more colleagues. “I’ve seen a concerted effort now for him to work with everybody and to travel the country,” Van Drew said. He added that if Jordan runs, “I think his base of appeal will be stronger and bigger.”

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who defeated Jordan in a 2018 leadership race, later formed an alliance with him. McCarthy called Jordan one of the party’s “best chairmen” and said he “would have done an excellent job” with the gavel in 2023. McCarthy noted that Jordan continued to help elect other Republicans even after his loss.

Some House Republicans say a loss of the majority could help Jordan. In a race for minority leader, he would need support from only a majority of House Republicans, not the full chamber. A weaker showing in the midterms could also reduce the number of moderate members who have opposed him in the past.

Shift on Surveillance Program Draws Notice

Jordan has taken a more measured approach in recent House debates. On funding for the Department of Homeland Security, he pointed out both problems and limited upsides in a Senate-passed bill rather than immediately criticizing it. The House later advanced the measure.

Also Read: Republicans Set to Cut Health Insurance for 300,000 Americans to Fund Iran War and Illegal Immigrant

He is also supporting a short-term clean extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key surveillance program set to expire in April. This marks a change from two years ago, when he pushed for stronger reforms to protect against warrantless spying on Americans.

Jordan said the program is “fundamentally different because of the reforms we all worked on and got in place” in prior renewals. He added that for a short-term extension during a military conflict in Iran, “I think that’s fine.”

The stance has created tension with some conservative allies but has drawn notice from Democrats as well. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, described Jordan as an “able and effective political actor” inside the GOP.

Why This Matters

If Republicans lose control of the House in November, the party will need a new leader to serve as minority leader.

The role would involve opposing the Democratic majority and coordinating investigations, an area where Jordan has experience from his time chairing the Judiciary Committee.

Jordan’s recent efforts to broaden his support could position him as a contender, especially if Johnson chooses not to continue in leadership after a loss. The next few months of campaigning and votes will show how much backing he has built.