Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) defeated Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) by a vote of 103-76 on Tuesday to retain his position as House Republican whip, securing his place in the party's leadership team as Republicans prepare for the next Congress.

Emmer, who has served as House majority whip since 2023, will become minority whip in January when Democrats assume control of the House. The position makes him the second-ranking Republican in the chamber under incoming Minority Leader Jim Jordan (R-OH).

The leadership contest came as Republicans reorganized following their significant losses in the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats' takeover of the House will force Republicans to shift from advancing their legislative agenda as the majority to coordinating opposition to Democratic proposals and preparing for the next election cycle.

Pfluger, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, challenged Emmer for the position, arguing that the party needed a renewed approach following its electoral setbacks. The Texas Republican leads the largest conservative caucus in the House and sought to bring a different direction to the party's leadership structure.

Emmer's reelection preserves his role overseeing vote-counting operations, communicating with Republican lawmakers and building support for the party's legislative priorities. As minority whip, he will be responsible for keeping Republican members organized and coordinating their votes as Democrats control the chamber.

Before becoming whip, Emmer chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign organization responsible for helping elect House Republicans. He previously served as chairman of the House Republican Conference and was elected majority whip in 2022.

His victory follows the election of Jordan as the incoming House Republican leader, who defeated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) by a vote of 106-73. Together, the results establish the top two positions in the House Republican leadership team as the party prepares to operate under a Democratic majority.