Overview
- Mike Johnson confirmed Wednesday that he will not seek to lead House Republicans in the new Congress and will return to the rank and file after winning reelection to his Louisiana seat.
- Johnson’s decision opens a leadership contest for the House GOP minority with Steve Scalise announcing plans to run and Jim Jordan entering the race.
- Vice President J.D. Vance publicly blamed the war with Iran for Republican losses in a Wednesday post and faced immediate vows from Democrats to hold him politically accountable for the conflict.
- Analysis and exit polling show Latino voters swung hard toward Democrats, moving roughly 28 percentage points from 2024 and deciding key House and governor races in several battleground states.
- The Democratic takeover reshapes oversight and the legislative calendar, intensifies GOP debate over strategy and the 2028 succession, and hands Democrats early power to set investigations and priorities when the new Congress convenes.