WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced to his staff on a phone call Thursday morning that he will not seek to remain as the Republican leader in the new Congress. His decision comes just one day after Democrats secured a majority in the House, marking a significant shift in power on Capitol Hill and signaling a period of profound transition for the House GOP conference.
The announcement, confirmed by four sources familiar with the call, follows a series of disappointing election results for Republicans on Tuesday. The losses, which cost the party their control of the chamber, have triggered an immediate search for new leadership as the caucus reels from the electoral fallout.
Johnson’s departure marks the end of a tumultuous tenure that began in 2023, following the historic ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Johnson stepped into the role during a period of deep internal division within the Republican conference, navigating a narrow majority and frequent legislative gridlock. Over the course of his two terms as speaker, he often found himself balancing the demands of the party’s more conservative wing with the pragmatic requirements of governing.
While Johnson’s future plans remain unknown, his exit leaves a void at the helm of the incoming House minority. The position of minority leader is a critical role that will define the Republican strategy for opposing the new Democratic majority in the upcoming session.
The scramble to replace him is expected to begin immediately. Internal party maneuvering is already underway, as members assess who among them has the support to unite a fractured conference and lead the opposition. According to officials, the Republican conference is scheduled to hold an internal election on Nov. 10 to select their candidate for the minority leader position.
The timing of the announcement underscores the urgency within the GOP to stabilize its leadership structure. With the party now in the minority, the coming days are expected to be marked by intense deliberations among lawmakers eager to reset the direction of the caucus.
As of Thursday morning, it was unclear which Republicans might throw their hats into the ring for the leadership race. The transition will likely involve a debate over the ideological future of the party, as lawmakers grapple with the lessons learned from the recent electoral losses.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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