House Speaker Mike Johnson is giving up his position atop the House GOP after Republicans were swept from power in Tuesday’s midterms, bringing his three-year tenure as the party’s leader to a close. Johnson informed his staff Wednesday morning that he would not remain in leadership as Republicans prepare to become the minority, according to two people familiar with the private conversation. Democrats captured at least 21 GOP-held seats Tuesday, enough to retake control of the chamber.
The Louisiana Republican had previously left open the possibility of leading his conference from the minority, although fellow Republicans had questioned whether he would ultimately pursue the job. Johnson spent much of the campaign’s closing stretch traveling to competitive districts to protect the Republican majority. His exit is likely to ignite a contest over the conference’s direction, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise, also of Louisiana, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio positioned as leading possibilities to succeed him.
This is a breaking news article.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
