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House GOP Holds Leadership Elections Tuesday

Republicans hold party elections after heavy midterm losses, with Speaker Mike Johnson stepping away from the top leadership post.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Political Parties

Abstract editorial illustration of a pale stone Capitol dome silhouette in deep red and cream against a flat slate field, evoking the institutional weight of House Republican leadership elections.
House Republicans hold leadership elections Tuesday after midterm losses, with Speaker Mike Johnson declining to seek another term at the top post. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Republicans replace their current House leaders after the midterm losses?

House Republicans will hold leadership elections Tuesday morning following deep defeats in the midterm elections. Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not run again for the top Republican position.

Why it matters

The contests reshape House GOP leadership after midterm losses that left members angry and seeking a different direction. The outcome will determine who leads the conference's messaging and strategy at a moment of internal division.

Candidates must declare by Friday, and the conference will vote by secret tally after each candidate makes a pitch. McClain's list of 35 supporters offers one measure of backing, but the total conference vote count has not been reported.

The players

Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson is the Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who said he would not run again for top Republican position.

Steve Scalise

Steve Scalise is the House Majority Leader and a longtime Louisiana Republican who has entered the race for minority leader.

Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan is the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a prominent conservative who faced Scalise in a 2023 leadership contest.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States who said he would not choose sides in the minority leader fight.

The details

Candidates will make pitches to the conference before members vote in a secret tally, and they sent letters to colleagues ahead of those pitches. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has entered the race for minority leader against Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, while Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger, and Rep. Erin Houchin are also in contests for other posts.

Timeline

  1. Friday: deadline to declare candidacy for leadership posts

  2. Tuesday morning: House GOP leadership party elections

Political Context

The renewed contest between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan echoes their 2023 leadership showdown, which exposed deep factional divisions within House Republicans. Lawmakers now face that same rivalry alongside a demand from members for a new strategic direction after heavy midterm defeats.

The outcome will determine which Republicans lead House GOP messaging and floor strategy, shaping how the conference operates on legislation. Members and voters will see the results of the secret-ballot contests directly in the party's leadership lineup.

The takeaway

Leadership shake-ups after a bad election often signal how a party plans to regroup, and the House GOP's contests will show whether members pursue a new direction or consolidate around familiar leaders.

What happens next

Party elections are set for Tuesday morning, following Friday's deadline for candidates to declare.

Further reading

For more on how the parties organize and choose their leaders, see Political Parties.

Live Poll

Should Republicans replace their current House leaders after the midterm losses?