By Basant El-Faramawy
House Speaker Mike Johnson told staff Wednesday he will not run for House minority leader in the next Congress, following Republican losses in the midterm elections that gave Democrats the House majority.
Announcement follows election defeat
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, made the announcement on a phone call with staff a day after the election results. He has served two terms as speaker after Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy in 2023.
Leadership election scheduled
His future plans are unknown. Republicans plan to hold an internal election on Nov. 10 to select their candidate for minority leader.
Massive GOP losses
The decision comes after massive Republican losses in House races on Tuesday.
