Speaker Mike Johnson will step aside as the top House Republican leader after Tuesday’s GOP defeat, concluding an unlikely and meteoric rise to power three years ago.
Johnson of Louisiana announced his plans on a private call with staff Wednesday morning, according to two people on the call. His decision comes after Republicans lost at least 21 seats in the midterm elections, returning Democrats to power after four years.
He told his staff he had spoken to President Donald Trump before announcing his decision, the people on the call said. He did not explicitly address whether he would be sworn in as a member in the next Congress or instead resign his seat, one of them said.
The speaker, who was out campaigning across the country in the final weeks until the election, had mused about potentially staying on as minority leader if Republicans lost their majority. But many of his colleagues believed that was unlikely.
In a letter sent to colleagues Wednesday morning obtained by POLITICO, Johnson said that serving as speaker was the “greatest professional honor” of his life. He also said his decision to not run as GOP minority leader was “not an easy decision,” but that the “demands of serving in leadership are immense” and “require sacrifices” from both him and his family.
“After three years in this role, I believe the time has come for me to give them more of the attention and presence they so richly deserve,” he said. “I make this decision with a heart full of gratitude and an abiding sense of pride in what we have accomplished together.”
Johnson also highlighted in the letter some of the House GOP’s legislative wins that were accomplished with a narrow majority under his leadership, including border security and tax cuts.
“I will always treasure the friendships we forged, the battles we fought together, and the victories we achieved against seemingly impossible odds,” he said.
Johnson's decision to step down sets up a two-way race between House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan to lead Republicans in the minority.
Jordan plans to announce his run later Wednesday, according to two people granted anonymity to describe his plans ahead of a formal announcement. Scalise will also announce his run Wednesday, two other people also granted anonymity said.
Scalise, those people said, will pitch himself as a "proven and tested leader" who is best equipped to unify Republicans going forward and battle Democrats.
Both men have been quietly laying the groundwork for months. Some Republicans believe House Majority Whip Tom Emmer or Rep. August Pfluger of Texas could also make a bid for the top leadership position.
Republican lawmakers have until Friday noon to declare any leadership runs.
Johnson was first elected to Congress in 2016 and had a rapid and atypical ascent to the speakership. After predecessor Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the position — and after failed bids to replace him by Scalise, Jordan and other members — Johnson was elected after days of balloting. He was reelected after Republicans secured a governing trifecta in 2024.
