Mike Johnson Will Not Seek to Remain as House Republican Leader After Midterm Losses

House Speaker Mike Johnson informed staff on November 4 that he will not seek to remain as Republican leader after Democrats took control of the House. He is expected to keep his Louisiana seat as a rank-and-file member.

Johnson made the announcement on a call with staff Wednesday morning. He had told CBS News in October that he intended to stay on as leader even if Republicans lost the majority. Earlier he had joked that he might return to Shreveport and start a lawn business if the party lost power.

Democrats flipped more than 30 Republican-held House seats, enough to secure a majority. Johnson had led the chamber with one of the narrowest majorities in modern times. His tenure began after Republicans removed Kevin McCarthy in October 2023. He worked closely with President Trump on legislation and investigations.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio both sent letters to colleagues on November 4 saying they want the job of minority leader. Scalise wrote that his goal would be to win back the majority. Jordan described himself as battle-tested and familiar with Democratic tactics.

Republicans plan to hold leadership elections on November 10. The contest between Scalise and Jordan echoes earlier races. Both men sought the speakership before Johnson emerged as a compromise candidate. Johnson's decision opens the field without him as an incumbent.

Johnson has served two terms as speaker. He rose from relative obscurity after McCarthy's ouster. His close relationship with Trump helped him manage a fractured conference. The midterm losses removed the path to continued control of the gavel.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is expected to become speaker when the new Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. The speaker is second in line to the presidency. Democrats have said they will pursue investigations of the Trump administration and legislation on the cost of living.

Johnson's exit leaves the Republican conference without an established leader for the minority period. Members will decide whether to choose a figure closely aligned with Trump or one who can manage internal factions. The outcome will shape how the party responds to Democratic majorities in both chambers.

The Louisiana Republican won reelection to his House seat on November 3. He has not said whether he will complete a full term or leave early. Former speakers have sometimes departed after losing the majority. Johnson has not indicated any plans to leave Congress.

The leadership race comes as Republicans assess the reasons for their losses. Trump has pointed to the Iran war and the fact that he was not on the ballot. Vance has said the war was the decisive factor. Those debates will continue inside the conference as members choose their next leader.

Scalise survived an assassination attempt at a congressional baseball practice in 2017. He has served as majority leader and is viewed as a reliable vote counter. Jordan has built a national profile through investigations and has a strong following among the conference's most conservative members. Both will need to assemble majorities in a secret ballot.

The new minority leader will face a Democratic House that can set the agenda and a Democratic Senate that can confirm or block nominees. The Republican response will depend in part on who wins the November 10 election. Johnson's decision has already cleared the way for that contest to proceed without an incumbent seeking to stay.