Two Defections Cost Republicans the House
Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek a third term after the party lost its majority in Tuesday's midterms.
By Claire Herrera ·
Two specific defections in the past decade have allowed a sitting president to hold or gain seats during a midterm cycle. House Speaker Mike Johnson cited that statistic Tuesday night while acknowledging that his party failed to join that small group of exceptions. The Louisiana Republican said it looked as if history would be kept, marking a rare midterm gain for the opposition.
According to a source familiar with his plans who was not authorized to discuss them publicly, Johnson does not plan to remain as the top House Republican in the new Congress. He served two terms as speaker after succeeding California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted in 2023. The leadership elections for the minority party are scheduled for Nov. 10.
The Democratic wave exceeded expectations in Washington. The party flipped seats in traditionally red states that the president had won in previous elections. Johnson worked closely with the Trump administration during his tenure, managing the delicate balance of keeping his conference united with a narrow majority. Under that dynamic, a single Republican defection could put GOP priorities at risk.
That precarious situation will not apply to the presumptive next House Speaker, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Jeffries will face a comfortable margin in the new Congress. Even with a handful of lawmakers elected with the support of the Democratic Socialists of America, who may push the party further to the left, Jeffries is likely to achieve his priorities despite potential defections.
Jeffries would make history as the first Black lawmaker elected to the position of House Speaker. The change in leadership reflects the shift in power after the bruising defeat for Republicans on Tuesday.
The new congressional makeup signals a change in the legislative process. The former speaker will step aside, allowing the new minority leader to set the agenda for the opposition. The Nov. 10 vote will formalize the new leadership structure for the Republican conference.
Source: WCBE
