House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that he will not run for House minority leader after Republicans lost control of the chamber in Tuesday’s midterm elections, according to Reuters. The Louisiana Republican informed staff of his decision Wednesday morning after spending much of the campaign predicting Republicans would expand their narrow House majority. Democrats instead took control of both the House and Senate in a sweeping rebuke of Republican leadership under President Donald Trump. Johnson had struggled to maintain control of the GOP’s razor-thin 218–214 majority since becoming speaker in 2023.

The decision sets up a leadership contest among Republicans, with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio announcing he intends to run for minority leader. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana is also expected to seek the position. Jordan emphasized law and order, low taxes and traditional values in his announcement, arguing Republicans must restore voters’ confidence in their ability to deliver on those priorities. Both Jordan and Scalise previously attempted to become speaker after Republican lawmakers ousted Kevin McCarthy in 2023, triggering weeks of internal party turmoil before Johnson emerged as a compromise candidate.

Republicans are expected to hold their leadership elections on November 10 as the party prepares to transition into the minority. Johnson’s departure marks a major turning point for House Republicans, who will now have to regroup while Democrats prepare to take control of the chamber. The leadership shake-up comes as Trump’s influence over the party faces renewed scrutiny following the election losses, with Republicans searching for a strategy to regain their majority in the next election cycle.