With Republicans preparing to move into the House minority after Democrats captured the chamber, House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP colleagues he will not seek a leadership post in the 120th Congress.
In a Nov. 4 letter, Johnson wrote, “I will not be a candidate for a leadership position in the 120th Congress.” He said the job’s demands had affected his family. The letter did not identify a particular post; AP and Axios reported that Johnson would not seek the minority leader position.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan are vying to lead the party’s House delegation, AP reported. Scalise set out his candidacy in a letter to colleagues, while Jordan announced his bid in writing, the news agency said.
Both men were in the running for speaker after Kevin McCarthy’s removal in 2023, but Republicans ultimately united behind Johnson, the Associated Press reported.
House Republicans are scheduled to hold their leadership vote Nov. 10, according to Axios and Roll Call. House Clerk guidance says members of each party’s delegation select party leaders other than the speaker.
