Speaker Mike Johnson won’t seek another term as House GOP leader after midterm losses

Washington — House Speaker Mike Johnson told staffers that he will not run for minority leader in the new Congress, according to a source familiar with the matter, stepping aside after the GOP’s extensive losses in the midterm elections.

Johnson made the announcement on a call Wednesday morning, the source said. CBS News projected that Democrats will take control of the House in January.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary chairman Jim Jordan are considered likely candidates for the role. 

House Republicans plan to hold their leadership elections on Nov. 10, one week after Election Day, according to a GOP aide familiar with the planning. 

Johnson recently told CBS News that he intended to remain as the party’s leader if Republicans lost control of the House. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.