After three years as speaker of the House, Mike Johnson says he will not seek to lead House Republicans once they move into the minority. His term as speaker is set to end Jan. 3, following the party’s defeat in Tuesday’s elections.
Johnson’s decision marks a change from comments he made last month, when he said he expected fellow Republicans to ask him to continue leading if they lost their majority. At the time, he said he intended to stay and serve.
Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio are among those seeking leadership roles in the upcoming House Republican elections.
Scalise, who has been majority leader since 2023, is being presented by allies as an experienced leader prepared to unite the conference and take on legislative and oversight fights. He withdrew from the race for speaker in 2023.
Jordan announced his bid on Wednesday. In a letter to colleagues, he pointed to his experience with congressional oversight and said he understands how Democrats operate. He argued that he could help Republicans stay united and coordinate their response while in the minority.
Jordan also said he would spend the next two years advancing Republican priorities and working to regain the majority.
