Mike Johnson Will Not Seek to Lead House Republicans After Losing the Majority

House Speaker Mike Johnson will not run to lead Republicans in the next Congress, a day after his party lost control of the House in the midterm elections, NBC News and Axios reported Wednesday.

What happened

Johnson told his staff on a phone call Wednesday morning that he would not seek the post of House minority leader, according to four people on the call cited by NBC News. Axios also reported that Johnson was bowing out of leadership. His future plans were not immediately known.

The Louisiana Republican has served two terms as speaker. He was elected to the job in 2023 after Republicans removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California.

A somber election night

At Johnson’s watch party in his hometown of Shreveport, the mood turned subdued as networks projected that Democrats would win the House, Axios reported. Johnson stayed offstage until shortly before 11 p.m. Eastern time.

When he spoke, he pointed to history. He told supporters that only twice in roughly 90 years has a sitting president’s party held or gained House seats in the first midterm cycle, and said it was very difficult to overcome, according to Axios.

In October, Johnson had said publicly that he intended to remain the top House Republican even if the party lost its majority.

Finger-pointing begins

Several House Republicans told Axios that the scale of the losses demanded new leadership. One member cited Iran, immigration enforcement, inflation, fuel prices and a lack of focus on pocketbook issues as reasons for the defeat.

President Donald Trump praised Johnson in an interview with Politico on Tuesday but did not endorse him for the leadership job, saying it was Johnson’s decision, Axios reported.

What comes next

House Republicans are scheduled to hold internal leadership elections on Nov. 10, and candidates must declare by Nov. 6, according to Axios. Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio have been mentioned as possible contenders.

Whoever wins will lead a much smaller minority. Democrats are expected to elect Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York as speaker when the new Congress convenes in January.

The contest will be an early test of which direction the party takes after one of its worst midterm showings in decades, and of how closely the next leader aligns with the president during his final two years in office.

Sources: Associated Press, NBC News, Politico, Axios.