Mike Johnson will not seek reelection as House GOP leader
GOP faces leadership vacuum after midterm losses prompt speaker's decision to step down.
Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson reacts at his midterm election night rally in Shreveport, (Photo via PBS NewsHour)
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, that he will not pursue another term as the leader of the House Republicans. The decision follows the party's loss of its majority in the House of Representatives during the 2026 midterm elections.
Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, successfully won reelection to his own seat for an eighth term. Despite his victory at the district level, he confirmed he will not run for House minority leader in the upcoming Congress.
The Speaker had previously led the House GOP since 2023, often managing one of the slimmest majorities in modern history. Before the election, Johnson had expressed confidence that his colleagues would ask him to continue leading the conference even in the event of a divided government.
Following the election results, Johnson addressed the party's performance on social media, stating that while the outcome was not what they had hoped for, the party would look toward the 2028 cycle to regain control of the chamber.
House Republicans are expected to select a new leader when members-elect meet in Washington next week. The formal election for the new Speaker of the House is scheduled to take place on Jan. 3, 2027, when the new Congress convenes.