Speaker Johnson won't run for GOP minority leader after blowout loss

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Nov 4, 2026

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House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson on Wednesday announced he won’t run for Republican minority leader after the GOP’s blowout loss in the midterms.

The Louisiana conservative told staffers at a closed-door meeting that he won’t lead the Republican caucus in the next Congress, when Democrats will hold a large majority.

Johnson, 54, who became Speaker in 2023 after hardliners ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy, was set to shoulder some of the blame for the party’s historic landslide defeat.

He will still lead Republicans through the coming lame-duck session and did not say whether he would step down from his deep-red seat.

Republicans may see a crowded fight to lead the fractious caucus, which was badly battered by the loss of up to 50 seats in the midterms.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a right-wing firebrand, reportedly planned to enter the race to lead the House GOP.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, who is Johnson’s top lieutenant also says he will be a candidate, although the entire current Republican leadership will need to explain how they presided over Tuesday’s historic drubbing.

Whoever grabs the reins for the House GOP will play a very different role than Johnson has for the past couple of years when Republicans held a trifecta of control of the House, Senate and White House.

Brooklyn’s Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is considered a sure thing to become the first Black House Speaker, with a commanding majority including more than 250 Democratic lawmakers.

Sen. Chuck Schumer will lead a resurgent Senate Democratic caucus of at least 54 and up to 56 senators.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune reportedly plans to run for GOP minority leader in the new Congress.

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