Steve Scalise lost his bid to become House Republican minority leader on November 10, 2026, after Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan defeated him in a closely watched leadership election. Jordan received 106 votes compared with Scalise’s 73, ending the Louisiana Republican’s attempt to lead his party following its defeat in the midterm elections. The result represents a significant political setback for Scalise, who has served in senior House Republican leadership positions for more than a decade.
The 61-year-old congressman currently serves as House Majority Leader and represents Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District. Known for his conservative political positions, survival of a serious shooting in 2017 and recovery from blood cancer, Scalise has remained a prominent figure in national politics. Away from Congress, he is married to Jennifer Scalise and has two children.
Who Is Steve Scalise?
Stephen Joseph Scalise is an American Republican politician born on October 6, 1965, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is 61 years old as of November 2026.
Scalise grew up in Jefferson Parish and attended Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, graduating in 1983. He later enrolled at Louisiana State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1989.
Before entering politics, Scalise worked as a software engineer and technology company marketing executive. His professional background preceded a political career spanning three decades.
His family has deep roots in Louisiana. His great-grandparents immigrated from Sicily to New Orleans, where they eventually operated a grocery store.
Steve Scalise’s Political Career and Republican Leadership Defeat
Scalise began his political career in 1996 when he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. He served in the state legislature before briefly joining the Louisiana Senate in 2008.
He entered the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2008 after winning a special election to replace Bobby Jindal, who had become Louisiana’s governor.
Scalise gradually rose through Republican leadership, becoming House Majority Whip in 2014 and Minority Whip in 2019. He was elected House Majority Leader in 2022 and assumed the position in January 2023.
Following Kevin McCarthy’s removal as House speaker in October 2023, Scalise initially secured the Republican nomination for speaker. However, he withdrew after failing to obtain sufficient support from party colleagues.
His leadership ambitions faced another setback in November 2026 when Jordan defeated him in the election for minority leader.
The vote followed major Republican losses in the midterm elections, which placed Democrats on course to control the House beginning in January 2027.
Who Is Steve Scalise’s Wife Jennifer Scalise?
Steve Scalise is married to Jennifer Letulle Scalise, a former computer consultant who has largely maintained a private life despite her husband’s national political career.
The couple married on April 9, 2005, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their marriage has lasted more than 21 years.
Jennifer has supported her husband throughout his political career, particularly during major personal challenges involving his health.
Following the 2017 congressional baseball practice shooting, she remained closely involved in his recovery as he underwent multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
She also supported him during his treatment for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer diagnosed in 2023.
Although Jennifer occasionally attends political events with her husband, she generally avoids extensive public attention.
Steve Scalise’s Children and Family Background
Steve and Jennifer Scalise have two children, Madison Carol Scalise and Harrison Joseph Scalise.
The family lives in Louisiana, where Scalise has maintained strong personal and political connections throughout his career.
He has frequently spoken about the importance of his wife and children, particularly after surviving the 2017 shooting.
Scalise was born into a family with Italian ancestry. His great-grandparents arrived in Louisiana from Sicily and established their lives in the New Orleans area.
His upbringing in Jefferson Parish influenced his interest in public service and Louisiana politics.
Despite holding senior congressional positions in Washington, Scalise has continued emphasizing his connection to his home state.
Steve Scalise’s Shooting and Cancer Diagnosis
On June 14, 2017, Scalise was critically injured when a gunman opened fire during a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia.
He suffered a serious gunshot wound to his hip and required multiple surgeries. The attack left him hospitalized for several months before he returned to Congress in September 2017.
The shooting became a defining moment in his personal and political life.
In August 2023, Scalise announced that he had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer affecting plasma cells.
He underwent chemotherapy and temporarily stepped away from some congressional responsibilities while receiving treatment.
In January 2024, Scalise announced that his cancer was in remission. His recovery allowed him to resume his leadership responsibilities in Congress.
Steve Scalise’s Net Worth and Congressional Salary
Steve Scalise has earned income through his previous technology career, state legislative service and nearly two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives.
As House Majority Leader, his annual congressional salary is $193,400, higher than the standard $174,000 salary received by most House members.
His personal net worth is not established by a single verified public figure. Congressional financial disclosure reports provide information about assets, investments and liabilities, generally using value ranges rather than exact amounts.
Consequently, online estimates of Scalise’s wealth should not be treated as confirmed financial valuations.
His actual financial position would depend on household assets, retirement savings, investments and outstanding liabilities.
As of November 2026, Scalise remains House Majority Leader through the end of the current Congress. His defeat in the Republican leadership election creates uncertainty about his future position within the party, although his congressional experience and longstanding relationships remain important parts of his political career.
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