WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) has announced that she is running for the position of Republican Conference Chair in the U.S. House of Representatives, a role currently held by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who is set to vacate the post after being selected as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Houchin, elected to represent Indiana’s 9th District earlier this month, revealed her candidacy in a statement outlining her vision for the role. She emphasized the need for a strong, unified Republican message as the party prepares for Trump’s second term.
“As conference chair, my priority will be to help our members communicate our shared vision to the American people,” Houchin said. “Having owned and operated a communications firm, I know how to reach the right audience at the right time. The role of conference chair isn’t about being in the spotlight; it’s about amplifying our members’ voices and providing them with the tools they need to succeed.”
Houchin, who made history as one of seven Republicans from Indiana elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2024 election, added that she would carry forward President Trump’s approach of directly engaging with the American public, bypassing traditional media channels.
“With legacy media fading, we must continue to find new ways to communicate and connect with voters,” Houchin continued. “I will work tirelessly to make sure our party’s message resonates and that our members have the support they need to succeed both in Washington and back home in their districts.”
The Republican Conference Chair presides over the conference’s meetings and plays a key role in shaping the party’s legislative agenda and messaging. The position is part of the broader leadership team in the U.S. House, and the conference elects the chair, typically from among its senior members.
As a first-term congresswoman, Houchin’s bid for the position is seen as part of a broader effort by Republicans to stay connected with voters and maintain a unified front as they enter the next phase of the political landscape with Trump returning to the White House.
Houchin’s campaign for conference chair comes at a time of significant change within the House Republican leadership, with several key roles shifting following the 2024 elections. If elected, Houchin would join the leadership ranks at a critical juncture for the party as it prepares for the political challenges of the coming years.
Stefanik’s confirmation as Trump’s U.N. Ambassador will require a vote in the Senate, and once she steps down from her current role, the House GOP will hold an election for her replacement. Houchin’s announcement signals her readiness to take on the responsibility of leading Republican communications in the House, continuing the party’s efforts to shape the national narrative.
