By David Morgan
WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) – US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson will not run for election as House minority leader, following the loss of his Republican majority in this week’s midterm elections, a source said on Wednesday.
Johnson, who has struggled to maintain control of a narrow 218-214 Republican majority since becoming speaker three years ago, announced his decision to staff on Wednesday morning, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Louisiana Republican spent much of the 2026 midterm campaign insisting that Republicans would expand their House majority, only to see Democrats take control of both the House and Senate on Tuesday in a sweeping repudiation of Republican leadership under President Donald Trump.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan both announced plans to seek the minority post in party leadership elections expected on November 10.
Trump told reporters that he would stay out of the Republican leadership election. “The speaker was fantastic. The people under him were fantastic. All good people,” he said.
In a letter to colleagues, Scalise proposed creating task forces to speak to people in “Real America” and use the input to craft legislation on top issues including Social Security and Medicare. “We have big tasks ahead, and tested leadership is needed now more than ever. I am ready to lead this conference,” the Louisiana Republican said.
Jordan, an Ohio Republican, emphasized law and order, low taxes and traditional values as top priorities in his letter to colleagues. “To restore our majority, we must restore voters’ faith in our ability to deliver on these principles,” Jordan wrote.
Jordan and Scalise each mounted failed bids to become House speaker after Republican hardliners ousted Kevin McCarthy from the top chamber post in 2023. The task of replacing McCarthy paralyzed the House for weeks until Johnson finally emerged as a compromise candidate.
(Reporting by David Morgan, Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Franklin Paul)
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