House Speaker Mike Johnson has informed his staff that he will not seek the position of minority leader in the next congressional session, according to multiple sources within his team. This decision follows significant losses for the Republican party in the recent midterm elections, which saw them lose their House majority.
Johnson, who ascended to the speakership in October 2023 after a period of Republican infighting that led to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, presided over the House during a period with one of the narrowest Republican majorities in history. Leading up to Tuesday's elections, Johnson had expressed optimism about his party's prospects of maintaining control of the House.
However, projections indicate that Democrats are poised to secure one of their most substantial House majorities since the early years of former President Barack Obama's administration. With Johnson stepping down from leadership, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is now expected to run for the minority leader position. A source indicated that Johnson intends to remain in Congress.