By David Morgan

WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - House Republicans chose Jim Jordan on Tuesday to lead them in opposition to a Democratic-controlled Congress, according to a person familiar with the matter, putting a combative Donald ‌Trump ally at the forefront of the party's fight to defend the US president's agenda during his ‌final two years in office.

A secret ballot held behind closed doors elevated the Ohio Republican and House Judiciary Committee chairman to the minority leadership post ​a week after Democrats swept to victory in last Tuesday's midterm elections, winning sizable majorities in both the House and Senate.

House Speaker Mike Johnson opted not to stand for the leadership position.

Across the Capitol, Senate Republicans met behind closed doors to decide whether to push forward with internal elections that were expected to retain US Senator John Thune, a South Dakota Rep...