Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, announced Wednesday that he is running against House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) for the Republican minority whip position in the next Congress.

Pfluger outlined his candidacy in a letter to Republican colleagues, arguing that the party must reassess its approach following Tuesday’s midterm election losses and develop a strategy to regain control of the House in 2028.

“We started 2025 with a clear mandate, and although there were successes, I believe we left a lot on the table,” Pfluger wrote. “Some circumstances may have been out of our control, but we also missed many opportunities.”

He said Republicans need new ideas and a leadership team focused on rebuilding the conference and preparing for the next election cycle. “I’m running for Republican Whip because I believe that I am capable and can be trusted to implement the changes this team needs,” Pfluger added.

The challenge puts Emmer’s leadership position in question after he previously indicated that he intended to remain the party’s whip regardless of the election outcome. In a September interview with Axios, Emmer said he wanted to continue in the position and would leave the decision to Republican lawmakers.

“I love my job. I would love to continue being the whip. If they want to hire somebody else, that’ll be up to the members,” Emmer said.

Emmer has served as House majority whip since 2023, helping coordinate Republican votes and maintain support for legislation among members of the conference. His tenure has included repeated internal disputes, with conservative Republicans sometimes opposing leadership-backed legislation and complicating efforts to advance the party’s agenda.

Pfluger, a fourth-term congressman representing Texas’s 11th District, has led the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House. His campaign for whip adds to a broader leadership shake-up following the Republican defeat, with members preparing to select a new minority leader and other leadership positions.

Republicans are scheduled to hold their secret-ballot leadership elections on November 10. The outcome will determine who helps coordinate the party’s strategy and manage its members as Democrats take control of the House.