Speaker Mike Johnson Will Not Seek Minority Leader Post After Republican Losses

House Speaker Mike Johnson told staffers on Wednesday that he will not run for minority leader in the new Congress, CBS News reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. CBS News described the decision as coming after losses for the party.

The Hill reported that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on a staff call Wednesday that he will not run for minority leader, citing two GOP staffers. The Hill's report described Republicans as reeling from a "seismic election defeat" and said the decision would head off what is likely to be a bitter fight over the party's future in the next Congress.

Politico reported that Johnson will step aside as House GOP leader and said he made the announcement on a private call Wednesday, after the party's "midterm drubbing."

The accounts differ in wording. Politico's headline describes Johnson stepping aside as leader, while CBS News and The Hill describe a decision not to seek the minority leader post. CBS News relied on a single source, and The Hill cited two GOP staffers.

The Hill also named House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) in its report, but the portion of that report available for this story does not describe his role. The reports do not say who will seek the minority leader post.

Sources: Politico: Mike Johnson will step aside as House GOP leader; CBS News: Mike Johnson won't seek new term as House GOP leader after losses; The Hill: Speaker Mike Johnson won’t run for minority leader, setting up GOP battle.