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NewsWPLG Local 10November 4, 2026Miami-Dade County

House Speaker Mike Johnson declines to seek reelection as Republican leader following midterm losses

Photo: WPLG Local 10

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will step aside from Republican Party leadership and will not seek to remain as House minority leader in the new Congress after the party's losses in the midterm election. Johnson plans to retain his seat as a rank-and-file member representing Louisiana's Shreveport-area district. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee member Jim Jordan have launched bids for the Republican leadership post.

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Why It Matters

The decision triggers an internal leadership contest among House Republicans ahead of the new Congress convening on January 3, 2027, as Democrats prepare to take the House majority.

Key Facts

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson will step aside from Republican Party leadership and will not seek to remain as House minority leader.
  • Johnson plans to retain his seat as a rank-and-file House member from Louisiana.
  • Democrats swept the midterm elections to win the House majority, altering control of the chamber.
  • House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana is running for the Republican leadership post.
  • Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio announced his bid for the leadership post in a letter to colleagues.
  • House Republicans are expected to elect their new leader when members gather in Washington next week.
  • The election for House speaker is scheduled as one of the first votes of the new Congress on Jan. 3, 2027.
  • Mike Johnson originally won the speaker's gavel in 2023 after Kevin McCarthy was ousted.
  • Democrats are preparing to nominate House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York for House speaker.

Who's Mentioned

PersonJim Jordan“Representative from Ohio announcing a bid for the leadership post”PersonMike Johnson“House Speaker stepping aside from Republican Party leadership”locationOhio“State represented by Jim Jordan”OrganizationAssociated Press“News organization reporting the decision”PersonSteve Scalise“House majority leader running for the leadership post”locationNew York“State represented by Hakeem Jeffries”locationShreveport“Area of Johnson's district”PersonHakeem Jeffries“House Democratic Leader”locationCalifornia“State represented by Kevin McCarthy”PersonJoe Biden“Democrat who won the 2020 election”PersonKevin McCarthy“Previous GOP speaker from California”PersonDonald Trump“President associated with House leadership”OrganizationFreedom Caucus“Hard-right faction supporting Jim Jordan”locationWashington“City where members-elect gather”PersonPete Hegseth“Defense Secretary”locationLouisiana“State where Johnson and Scalise hold districts”OrganizationJudiciary Committee“Committee previously helmed by Jim Jordan”