House Speaker Mike Johnson Declines to Run for Minority Leader

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on a staff call Wednesday morning that he will not seek support to stay on as House minority leader in the new Congress, following Republican losses in the midterm elections that handed Democrats control of both the House and Senate.

Johnson won re-election to his House seat for an eighth term from his Louisiana district and is expected to remain in the chamber as a rank-and-file member when the new Congress convenes in January. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan both announced plans to run for the minority leader position, setting up an internal party contest for leadership elections scheduled for November 10.

Jordan outlined his priorities in a letter to colleagues emphasizing law and order, low taxes, and traditional values, while also pointing to his oversight experience in preparation for anticipated Democratic investigations into the administration of President Donald Trump. Scalise also launched a bid to lead the conference back into the majority. Additionally, Representative August Pfluger announced a challenge against Majority Whip Tom Emmer for the GOP whip position.

Johnson initially spent much of the 2026 campaign insisting that Republicans would expand their House majority, but ultimately stepped aside after the party lost control of the chamber. Republican Conference members are required to declare their intentions by November 6.