WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek a Republican leadership post in the next Congress, leaving House Republicans to choose a new leader after Democrats won control of the chamber in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Johnson announced his decision to staff Wednesday morning and later told colleagues that the leadership job had demanded significant sacrifices from his family. He wrote that, after three years as speaker, he wanted to give them more of his time. He did not cite the election results in his letter. Johnson won reelection to his Louisiana seat but has not said whether he will serve as a rank-and-file member next year.
The Republican conference plans to elect its leaders Nov. 10. Candidates must declare their intentions by Friday, according to Axios. Members will vote by secret ballot, with a forum for candidates scheduled before the vote.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana plans to run for minority leader, his office said. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio has also declared his candidacy. Jordan told colleagues he was “battle-tested on the oversight front” and argued that Republicans need a coordinated plan to challenge Democratic investigations and advance their priorities.
The contest revives a rivalry from the 2023 fight to replace Kevin McCarthy. Scalise won the Republican conference’s nomination then, but withdrew after he failed to secure enough support on the House floor. Jordan also sought the speakership before Republicans chose Johnson after weeks of infighting.
Scalise brings more than a decade in party leadership, including his current role as majority leader. Jordan, a prominent conservative and close Trump ally, has led Republicans on the Judiciary Committee and previously chaired the House Oversight Committee. Their bids will test whether Republicans favor leadership experience or a more confrontational approach as they move into the minority.
The whip position has its own contest. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, chair of the Republican Study Committee, is challenging Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the current majority whip. Emmer has signaled that he wants to keep the post as minority whip. The whip counts votes and works to keep members aligned on party strategy.
Johnson became speaker in October 2023 after Republicans ousted McCarthy. He led a narrow and divided conference through difficult spending negotiations and worked with President Donald Trump to advance the administration’s agenda. The election defeat now leaves Republicans weighing how to respond to a Democratic House majority and rebuild their position ahead of the next election cycle.
