Mike Johnson to step down as House GOP leader after midterm losses
House Speaker Mike Johnson told staff on Wednesday he will not seek the minority leader post in the new Congress, one day after Democrats won the House majority in the 2026 midterms. Republicans scheduled an internal leadership election for Nov. 10. Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan are both running to succeed Johnson, with Scalise pitching a consensus-driven approach and Jordan an aggressive oversight posture. Rep. August Pfluger is challenging Whip Tom Emmer for the No. 2 spot, and some Republicans are calling for a complete leadership reset.
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House Republicans to elect new leader after midterm defeat
One week after losing the House majority in the midterm elections, House Republicans will meet behind closed doors on Tuesday to choose a minority leader for the next Congress via secret ballot. The race to succeed Mike Johnson, who is stepping down as the chamber's top Republican, pits current Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana against Ohio's Jim Jordan, a House Freedom Caucus co-founder. Scalise, 61, a close Trump ally in GOP leadership for over a decade, is seen as more moderate and has pitched a "conservative and consensus-driven" approach focused on winning back the majority. Jordan, 62, a veteran of the Oversight and Judiciary committees, advocates an aggressive "offense, not defense" posture and says he is "battle-tested on the oversight front" ahead of expected Democratic investigations of the Trump administration. The contest is a rematch of the 2023 leadership fight that ultimately produced Johnson. Former Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry says the outcome will shape a larger conversation about the party's direction; strategists note Trump, who has so far stayed out of the race, could wield major influence over a conference largely elected in his image.
Mike Johnson Steps Down From Republican Leadership After Midterm Loss
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday morning during an all-staff call that he will not run for House minority leader in the new Congress, following Tuesday's Democratic landslide takeover of the House of Representatives. It remains unclear whether Johnson has endorsed a successor. Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has announced his candidacy for House minority leader, pitching that new blood is needed and emphasizing his investigations expertise, according to Punchbowl News. Representative Steve Scalise, the current number two Republican in the House, also announced he is running for caucus leader, with a source telling The Washington Sun that his top goal is to lead the conference back into the majority. The article characterizes Johnson's tenure as marked by unwillingness to stand up to President Donald Trump and support for Trump's agenda, which it says doomed Republicans on Tuesday.
Mike Johnson Steps Down From Republican Leadership After Democratic Midterm Landslide
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday on an all-staff call that he will not run for House minority leader in the new Congress, following Tuesday's Democratic landslide takeover of the House of Representatives. It remains unclear whether Johnson has endorsed a successor. Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has already announced his candidacy for minority leader, pitching that new blood is needed and emphasizing his investigations expertise, according to Punchbowl News. Current number two House Republican Steve Scalise is also expected to announce a run, an unnamed source told The Washington Sun, with a statement saying his top goal would be leading the conference back into the majority and describing him as a proven, unifying leader. The article also notes Republicans are openly blaming President Trump for the midterm losses, with some calling it a 'bloodbath,' and covers data center ballot initiatives and reproductive rights measures. This is a developing story.
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Mike Johnson Steps Down From Republican Leadership After Democratic Midterm Landslide
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday morning during an all-staff call that he will not run for House minority leader in the new Congress, following Tuesday's historic Democratic landslide takeover of the House of Representatives. It remains unclear whether Johnson has endorsed a successor. Representative Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, has announced his candidacy for House minority leader, arguing that new blood is needed and emphasizing his investigations expertise, according to Punchbowl News. Representative Steve Scalise, the current number two House Republican, also announced he is running for caucus leader, with a source telling The Washington Sun that his top goal is to lead the conference back into the majority. The article characterizes Johnson's tenure as marked by unwillingness to stand up to President Donald Trump and support for Trump's agenda, which it says doomed Republicans on Tuesday.
Speaker Mike Johnson to step down as GOP leader after midterm losses
One day after Democrats won the House majority in the 2026 midterms, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told staff he will not remain Republican leader in the new Congress, leaving the minority leader post open. Republicans plan an internal election Nov. 10. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a close Johnson ally, announced his bid, citing results 'far worse than any of us expected.' Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan is also running, arguing he is 'battle-tested on the oversight front' and ready to counter Democrats' investigations of President Trump. In a surprise, Rep. August Pfluger said he would challenge Whip Tom Emmer for the No. 2 spot. Some Republicans, including Rep. Greg Steube, demanded a 'complete reset' of leadership, saying leaders alienated conservatives. Johnson, speaker since October 2023 after Kevin McCarthy's ouster, won re-election to his seat and is expected to stay in the House, though it is unclear whether he will serve his full term.
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