Mike Johnson bows out of leadership after crushing House GOP defeat
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House Speaker Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 2. Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) plans to step down as the House's top Republican after his party's epic midterm election losses wiped out their majority, according to a person familiar with his plans.
Why it matters: Johnson's exit touches off a potentially contentious scramble to replace him with Republicans days away from choosing their next leaders.
- Johnson told staff that he will not run for minority leader on a Wednesday morning call, the person familiar with his plans said.
Driving the news: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) have been floated as potential successors, setting the stage for a bruising leadership battle.
- Johnson's political future remains uncertain, with questions swirling over whether he will remain in Congress or leave the House altogether after three years as speaker.
- The Louisiana Republican had spent months traveling across the country and raising millions of dollars in a last-ditch effort to preserve the GOP's majority.
Flashback Johnson ascended to the speakership in October 2023 as a little-known lawmaker after weeks of GOP turmoil following Kevin McCarthy's historic ousting.
- Johnson spent much of his speakership navigating razor-thin Republican majorities, managing persistent GOP infighting and repeated conservative rebellions that brought legislative business to a standstill.
- But he also emerged as a prolific fundraiser and close Trump ally, helping shepherd the president's legislative agenda through a fractious Republican conference.
Yes, but: Johnson had publicly insisted he intended to remain in Republican leadership even if the GOP lost control of the House.
- After suggesting to Fox News, that he could return to Shreveport and start a lawn care business if Republicans lost the majority, Johnson told CBS News in October that he planned to remain the top House Republican regardless of the election's outcome.
- His political future had become the subject of private speculation among Republicans, with many lawmakers skeptical he would run for minority leader after a GOP loss.
What's next: House Republicans are scheduled to hold leadership elections Nov. 10, with candidates facing a Friday deadline to declare their intentions.
- The race will be decided by a secret ballot of Republican members, requiring only a majority of the conference to win.
- Trump could play a pivotal role in determining Johnson's successor, and Republicans are watching closely to see whether he throws his support behind a candidate.
