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Speaker Mike Johnson has announced he will not seek the position of House Minority Leader after the Republican Party's significant losses in the recent midterm elections. According to NBC News, Johnson informed his staff of his decision during a phone call following the Democrats' victory in securing the House majority.
Johnson, who represents Louisiana, won reelection in his home state with 58% of the vote, as reported by the Shreveport Times. Despite his personal electoral success, the shift in congressional control means he will lose his position as Speaker. Johnson has served two terms in this role, having been elected after the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy in 2023.
The race for the new House Minority Leader is expected to include current Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, as noted by KTBS. The Republicans are scheduled to hold an internal election for the position on November 10.
Johnson's decision not to run comes amidst speculation about his future plans, with some suggesting he might return to his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. In a previous interview, Johnson mentioned the possibility of leaving Congress if the Republicans lost their majority, expressing a desire to serve in whatever capacity he felt was most beneficial.