Jim Jordan Launches Bid to Lead House Republicans After Midterm Losses
Speaker Mike Johnson steps aside as Democrats seize control of the chamber, leaving Jordan to challenge a party facing a historic defeat.
By Luana Sato ·
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana will step away from the top of the Republican leadership structure next year. He confirmed on Wednesday that he will not seek the position of minority leader, a role that will define the GOP's strategy once Democrats take control of the House.
The decision follows a crushing midterm election night. As of Wednesday morning, Democrats had secured at least 228 seats in the House. With 68 races still undecided, the party is on track to control many more districts, marking a decisive shift in power.
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio has thrown his name into the race for the new leadership. In a letter to colleagues sent on Wednesday, Jordan outlined a plan built on aggressive campaigning. He argued that the party must focus on offense to win back voters rather than simply criticizing the incoming Democratic leadership.
Jordan wrote that the next two years require an approach where offense wins elections. He stated that Republican policies prioritize safer neighborhoods, keeping money in voters' pockets, and protecting American values. To restore their majority, he said, the party must rebuild voter faith in its ability to deliver on these principles.
Johnson’s exit reflects the severity of the party's loss. In remarks on Tuesday evening, the Speaker attributed the defeats to political fate. He noted that Republicans had to defy more than a century of midterm history to maintain their previous majority. He added that it has only happened twice in 90 years for a sitting president’s party to hold or gain seats in a first two-year cycle.
Critics within the party had already called for a change in direction. Rep. Greg Steube of Florida sent an open letter to Republican leaders on Wednesday, urging them to step aside. He described the previous leadership as weak and overly cautious, asking for new figures to take the party in a truly conservative direction with the courage to act.
The new Congress is scheduled to convene in January, when internal party elections will determine the final leadership slate. The full House will then vote to elect the next speaker based on a majority from the floor.
