Speaker Johnson steps aside as Scalise and Jordan compete to lead House Republicans, and Jeffries launches his speaker bid

A day after losing the House, Republicans began picking new leaders, and Democrats started organizing to run the chamber.

Johnson won't lead the minority

Speaker Mike Johnson told his staff on a call on Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, that he will not run for minority leader, the Associated Press reported, citing an unnamed source. He had earlier suggested he might stay in leadership if Republicans lost the majority. Punchbowl News reported that he spoke with President Trump after the election, according to AOL.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, both plan to run for the top Republican job, Fox News and Punchbowl News reported. Jordan ran for speaker in 2023 and lost. ABC News reported that Jordan announced first and that Scalise launched his own bid later on Wednesday.

According to Axios, cited by 13WHAM, House Republicans will vote on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and candidates must declare by Friday, Nov. 6. Mr. Trump said he would "stay out" of the race and denied asking Johnson to step down.

Jeffries asks for the gavel

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries formally launched his bid for speaker on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in a letter to House Democrats obtained by ABC News. He built his agenda around three themes: affordability, accountability and American values. He also promised that every member of the majority would have a meaningful role.

House Democrats will hold closed-door leadership elections on Wednesday, Nov. 18, where Jeffries needs a simple majority of the caucus, ABC News reported. The full House votes for speaker in January, and the winner needs 218 votes. Jeffries would be the 57th speaker and the first Black person to hold the office. NBC Washington reported that no one had challenged him.

NBC News projected that Democrats will hold about 258 House seats to Republicans' 177 once counting ends. Dozens of House races were still uncalled on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The Senate side

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who will become majority leader in January, said he will seek the majority leader post and brushed off opposition to his leadership, NBC Washington reported. Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed declined to say whether he would support Schumer.