House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) announced Wednesday that he is running to become the next House Republican minority leader after Democrats captured control of the chamber in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

Scalise outlined his decision in a letter to Republican colleagues, acknowledging the scale of the party’s defeat while calling on lawmakers to regroup and prepare to challenge the incoming Democratic majority.

“Last night’s election was far worse than any of us expected,” Scalise wrote. “We will need to be honest with ourselves about what happened, but it is more important now than ever for us to emerge from this stronger and united because the stakes couldn’t be higher.”

He argued that Democrats would pursue an aggressive agenda after taking control of the House and said Republicans must organize to oppose their efforts and eventually regain the majority.

“The socialists are coming to Washington with a radical agenda that threatens the America we hold dear,” Scalise wrote. “That is why I’m running to be your Republican Leader — I am ready to lead on day one and chart our path back to the majority.”

Scalise’s announcement sets up a leadership contest with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who also announced his candidacy Wednesday. Jordan has called for a new strategy and a more aggressive approach to challenging Democrats, particularly through congressional oversight and investigations.

The two Republicans previously competed for the speakership in 2023 after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position. Scalise initially secured the conference’s nomination but withdrew after failing to gather enough support for a floor vote. Jordan also pursued the position before Republicans ultimately selected Mike Johnson.

Scalise has served in House Republican leadership for more than a decade and has held the majority leader position since 2023. He has been a central figure in coordinating Republican legislation, fundraising, and efforts to maintain support within the conference. His campaign is centered on using that leadership experience to rebuild the party’s House majority.

The leadership contest follows Speaker Mike Johnson’s announcement that he will not seek to lead House Republicans in the next Congress. Johnson is expected to remain in the House as a rank-and-file member, leaving the top Republican leadership position open for the first time since he became Speaker in 2023.

House Republicans are scheduled to hold secret-ballot leadership elections on November 10. The winner will lead the party in the minority as Democrats take control of the chamber in January, and Republicans begin preparing for the 2028 elections.