Mike Johnson Steps Aside as Jim Jordan Wins House Republican Leadership Race

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WASHINGTON, November 10, 2026 — House Speaker Mike Johnson will not lead Republicans in the next Congress. On Tuesday, House Republicans elected Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio as their incoming minority leader, choosing him over Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana by a vote of 106–73 following the party’s sweeping midterm losses.

Johnson announced November 4 that he would not seek the party’s top leadership position in the next Congress. The decision followed Democrats’ victories in the November 3 elections, which put them on track to control the House when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3, 2027.

What happened today?

Republicans held a closed-door leadership election on Tuesday and chose Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, over Scalise, the current House majority leader. The National News Desk reported the vote tally as 106–73, while Roll Call confirmed Jordan’s selection.

Jordan is a longtime ally of President Donald Trump and a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. His victory signals the direction Republicans have chosen as they prepare for minority status and possible congressional investigations of the Trump administration.

Is Mike Johnson no longer speaker?

Not yet. Johnson remains speaker of the current House. He was not removed by a vote today, and he has not announced that he is resigning his House seat. He won reelection in Louisiana and is expected to serve in the next Congress as a rank-and-file representative.

Jordan’s election is for the Republican minority leader position beginning in January, not for speaker of the House. The full newly elected House will choose its speaker when the new Congress opens. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to be his party’s nominee.

Why Johnson stepped aside

Johnson led Republicans through a narrow House majority and maintained a close relationship with Trump. But Democrats’ sweeping midterm gains left Republicans preparing for two years in the minority. Johnson told colleagues he would not seek the minority leader position, opening the race between Scalise and Jordan.

Why Jordan’s victory matters

The House minority leader coordinates the opposition party’s legislative strategy, negotiates with majority leadership and helps shape its public message. Jordan’s record as Judiciary Committee chairman and his confrontational approach to oversight could influence how Republicans respond to Democratic investigations and policy proposals.

Democrats, meanwhile, are preparing to take control of committees and set the House legislative agenda. Their ability to pass legislation will still depend on the Senate and the president, and many measures may face vetoes or procedural obstacles.

What happens next?

The current Congress continues with Johnson as speaker unless a separate change occurs.
Jordan prepares to become House Republican minority leader on January 3, 2027.
House Democrats organize their leadership and prepare to nominate a speaker.
The newly seated House formally elects its speaker in January.
Congressional oversight priorities and committee leadership will shift with the new majority.

The Brownstone perspective

The change in Republican leadership is part of a larger transfer of power following the midterms. For voters, the important questions are how the new majority will govern, how the minority will hold it accountable, and whether either party can deliver on economic and policy priorities.

Question for the Neighborhood: What should the new House leadership prioritize when Congress convenes in January?