House GOP sets Nov. 10 leadership elections as Johnson seeks to stay on

By Nora Pembrook

House Republicans will choose their leaders for the next Congress on Nov. 10, one week after an election that will decide whether they keep the majority, setting up a quiet but intense contest over who will lead the conference in January.

Under the timeline set by the House Republican Conference, candidates for leadership posts must declare by noon on Nov. 6, The Hill reported. The conference vote will pick the party’s nominee for speaker, or for minority leader if Republicans lose the House. The full House would elect a speaker when the new Congress convenes in January.

Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has made clear he intends to stay. “I would expect my colleagues would ask me to continue leading this conference,” Johnson told CBS News, pointing to his record of passing the president’s agenda with one of the narrowest majorities in modern history.

Jordan in the wings

The most closely watched name is Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who ran for speaker in 2023. Punchbowl News reported that Jordan is nearly certain to seek a leadership post, though it is not clear which one. Jordan has spent the fall campaigning for Republican candidates across the country.

“We are helping anybody, everybody,” Jordan said of his travel, according to Politico, deflecting questions about his ambitions.

Punchbowl also identified Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, as possible candidates whose plans remain unknown.

What the election decides

Much depends on next Tuesday. Republicans hold 218 seats to Democrats’ 214, with two vacancies. The CBS News Battleground Tracker’s median estimate gives Democrats 229 seats, with a range of 215 to 237, suggesting a Democratic majority is more likely than not.

If Republicans keep the House, Johnson would be well positioned, having defied the historical pattern of midterm losses for the president’s party. A loss would open the door to a broader shake-up, with members weighing who is best positioned to lead in the minority and win back the House in 2028.

Johnson is spending the final week on a campaign blitz through 13 states and 21 districts, visiting many colleagues whose votes he would need.

Down-ballot posts

Races for the posts below speaker are also taking shape. Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota have not signaled plans to step aside. The conference chair post and other elected positions could draw challengers depending on the outcome.

Johnson’s office and Jordan’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.