Mike Johnson Walks Away As Scalise And Jordan Reveal Their Real Plan

After Democrats reclaimed the majority, House Speaker Mike Johnson informed his staff he will not pursue a leadership position. This decision sets off a race between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan to lead the party in the next Congress. The outcome will define how Republicans fight the new Democratic majority.

Scalise and Jordan launched their bids on Wednesday to become the next minority leader. The Republican Conference will hold its leadership elections on November 10. Candidates must declare their intentions by November 6. Winning the minority leader job is easier than becoming speaker. A majority of the full 435-seat House body is required for the speaker role. Within their own party, minority leaders merely need to secure over 50% of lawmakers.

The Race for the Top Spot

Steve Scalise has served in House GOP leadership for 12 years. He started telling colleagues about his plan to run for the top position. Jim Jordan, a longtime favorite of the conservative wing, told colleagues he would throw his hat in the ring. One source described Scalise’s pitch to supporters. “His number one goal will be to lead the conference back into the majority,” one source said. “He is a proven and tested leader who is ready on day one.”

Scalise laid out his plan in a statement. “To succeed in this fight, we will need to stand united as one team,” Scalise said. He promised to secure policy wins and coordinate defense against oversight. “That is why I’m running to be your Republican Leader—I am ready to lead on day one and chart our path back to the majority,” Scalise said. According to Fox News, securing the minority leader job is much simpler than becoming speaker.

Warnings About the Democrats

Scalise warned that House Democrats will target President Trump and his allies. He noted they will seek to impeach President Trump. “They have made clear they will undertake a comprehensive approach that will target President Trump’s family, key cabinet officials, and any ally who has supported our America First agenda,” Scalise continued. “they will weaponize every single gavel.”

Jim Jordan issued a call for unity in a letter to colleagues. “There is far more that unites us as Republicans than divides us,” Jordan wrote. He knows the Democrats’ strategy and urged the conference to remain united. The Daily Caller stated that Scalise and Jordan will compete on Tuesday for the minority leader spot in the 120th Congress.

What Johnson Said About History

Mike Johnson spoke to supporters in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. He noted the difficulty of the current political climate. “It’s only happened twice in 90 years that a sitting president has picked up or held seats for his party in that first two-year cycle,” Johnson told supporters. “It’s very, very difficult to overcome, and it looks like history will be kept here tonight,” Johnson said. Daily Wire stated that Johnson told staffers he will not remain in his leadership role.

Some Republicans want new faces to lead the party after the loss. “They should all step aside and let new people run,” one House GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital. Per The Daily Caller, Scalise and Jordan are the only two confirmed candidates so far. The vote will determine who leads the fight against the new Democratic majority in the House.