Mike Johnson Won’t Seek House GOP Leadership in Next Congress

Johnson plans to leave leadership

November 4, 2026 · 1:38 p.m. Central

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will not seek a Republican leadership position in the next Congress, setting up a contest to lead the party after Democrats won control of the House in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

In a letter to Republican colleagues obtained by Axios, Johnson cited the demands the job placed on his family. He did not say in the letter whether he would remain in Congress, Axios reported.

Johnson won reelection to his Louisiana House seat, according to the Associated Press. His decision concerns the party’s leadership contest in the next Congress; it is not an announcement that he is immediately resigning the speakership or his seat.

Who could lead Republicans next?

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio announced that he is seeking the minority leader position, Reuters reported. Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana is also running, AP reported, citing a person familiar with his plans.

House Republicans are scheduled to choose their leaders November 10, according to Axios. The outcome remains undecided.

Democrats’ House victory puts the party on course to nominate its leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, for speaker, AP reported. The full House chooses its speaker when the new Congress convenes in January; no successor has yet been elected.

How Johnson reached the post

Johnson became speaker in October 2023 after Republicans removed Kevin McCarthy and struggled to agree on a successor. Scalise and Jordan both mounted unsuccessful bids for the speakership during that period, Reuters reported.

Johnson led a narrow Republican majority and worked closely with President Donald Trump. In his letter, he emphasized Republican legislative achievements and said his family had made substantial sacrifices during his time in leadership, according to Axios.

Where the House meets

The star marks the approximate Washington, D.C., area, where House members meet.

Key dates

1. October 2023 — Johnson is elected House speaker.
2. November 3, 2026 — Voters choose a new House; Democrats win control according to AP.
3. November 4, 2026 — Johnson tells colleagues he will not seek leadership in the next Congress, according to Axios.
4. November 10, 2026 — House Republicans are scheduled to choose their leadership.
5. January 3, 2027 — The new Congress convenes and the House is expected to elect its speaker.

Sources and visual credits

Axios: Johnson’s letter · Associated Press: leadership transition · Reuters: leadership race.

Visual: conceptual gavel and legislative chamber illustration, not a photograph of Congress. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.