Local Congressman Jim Jordan announces run for House minority leader

Rep. Jim Jordan announced Wednesday that he will run for minority leader, hours after winning a seventh term representing his western Ohio congressional district and hours after Republicans lost the House majority.

Jordan, an Urbana Republican, announced his decision on Hill.TV Wednesday morning, though he’s broadly indicated his plans to seek a leadership role ever since House Speaker Paul Ryan announced his retirement earlier this year. He’ll challenge Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the current House majority leader and a California Republican.

Jordan said on Hill.TV that he was running because Republicans have not followed through on the promises they made in 2016.

"Have we replaced ObamaCare yet? Have we secured the border yet? Have we reformed welfare yet? No we haven’t," he said.

He said in 2016 “the American people elected Republicans to come here and change this town. I think the president is doing just that, but I don't think they see the same intensity from folks in Congress, folks in the House of Representatives," he said.

He said being the minority leader is “all about getting us in the majority so we can accomplish what they elected us to do.”

Were he elected by his caucus, he’d be the first Ohioan since retired House Speaker John Boehner to lead the GOP caucus. Jordan handily defeated Democrat Janet Garrett Tuesday night.

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