×

US House Speaker Johnson will not seek minority leadership post

By Thomson Reuters Nov 4, 2026 | 9:37 AM

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) – US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson will not ​run for election as ‌House minority leader, following the loss of his Republican majority in this week’s midterm elections, a source said ‌on ​Wednesday.

Johnson, who has ⁠struggled to maintain ⁠control of a narrow 218-214 Republican majority since becoming speaker three years ago, announced his decision ​to staff on Wednesday morning, according to a person ⁠familiar with the matter.

The ⁠Louisiana Republican spent much ​of the 2026 midterm campaign insisting ​that Republicans would expand their ‌House majority, only to see Democrats take control of both the House and Senate on ⁠Tuesday in a sweeping repudiation of Republican leadership under President Donald Trump.

It was ⁠unclear who ‌would emerge as ⁠House Republican leader in an ​internal ‌party election expected next ​week. Conservative ⁠Jim Jordan of Ohio was expected to announce his candidacy later on Wednesday.

(Reporting by David Morgan and Susan Heavey; Editing by ​Chizu Nomiyama)