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2h ago

Mike Johnson Will Not Seek House Minority Leader Post

His decision sets off a fast-moving GOP fight over who will organize Republican strategy and defend President Trump when Democrats take House control.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to reporters after passage of a Department of Homeland Security funding bill, on April 30, 2026 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The Department of Homeland Security has been shutdown for weeks as a funding patch is worked out between House and Senate Republicans. (Photo by Graeme Sloan/Getty Images)
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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, speaks during a campaign event, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2016, in Sterling Heights, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., departs after speaking during a campaign rally at the Five Flags Event Center, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Dubuque, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Overview

  • Johnson told his staff on Wednesday that he will not run to be House minority leader after Tuesday’s midterm losses, a decision confirmed by his spokesman and multiple outlets.
  • House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan have launched bids for the GOP leadership, creating a likely head-to-head contest for the post.
  • House Republicans will hold a secret conference vote on Nov. 10, with candidates required to declare their runs before the conference deadline later this week.
  • The next minority leader will be charged with coordinating Republican messaging, legislative strategy and defending President Trump against expected Democratic investigations when committees flip in January.
  • Johnson, who became speaker in October 2023 after months of GOP turmoil, is expected to remain a rank-and-file House member, and his exit from leadership reflects broader internal calls for new direction after heavy GOP losses.