Johnson Floats Leaving Congress if Republicans Lose House

With Republicans facing a competitive battle to retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the November midterm elections, Speaker Mike Johnson has acknowledged that he could leave Congress if his party loses its majority. In a Fox News interview published this week, the Louisiana Republican said he might return to his hometown of Shreveport and start a lawn care business rather than pursue another role in Washington.

Johnson's remarks, reported by Yahoo News on October 9 and NJ.com on October 8, offered a rare glimpse into his thinking about a potential Democratic takeover. Losing the majority would cost Republicans control of the House and put Johnson's speakership at risk.

Johnson nevertheless maintained that Republicans would retain control of the chamber. He has been campaigning extensively in competitive congressional districts as the party defends its narrow majority, according to Yahoo News.

In the interview with Fox News host Aishah Hasnie, Johnson described his possible departure as a decision shaped by his religious convictions and desire to serve his country.

"Heaven forbid, if we lose this majority or whatever, I don't know what my next chapter of life is. If God moves on our hearts and says we should, you know, go back to my hometown of Shreveport and start a lawn business, I'll do that with equal fervor. I mean, I just want to be of my highest and best use to God and to my country." Johnson said.

When asked whether he would seek the position of House minority leader if Republicans lost control, Johnson rejected the premise and said he expected to remain speaker in the next Congress.

"I'm going to be the speaker in the next Congress. I'm not going to talk about the scenario where we don't win the House, because I am laser-focused on winning the House." Johnson said.

Johnson also pushed back against the possibility that a Republican defeat would reflect his own leadership. NJ.com reported that he attributed a potential loss to voters receiving misleading information and pointed to his extensive travel schedule during the campaign.

"I don't know how it could be. I mean, I'm traveling nonstop." Johnson said.

His comments came as Fox News reported that several House Republicans privately expected Democrats to win control of the chamber. One Republican lawmaker described the prospect of a leadership shakeup as unavoidable.

"I don't see a scenario where everyone gets to keep their job. I think [Johnson] would be first out, and then [House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.] has got to decide if he's going to run for leader and, can he beat [House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio]?" an unnamed House Republican lawmaker told Fox News, according to NJ.com.

Jordan has emerged in internal discussions as a possible candidate for a leadership position if Republicans lose the majority. NJ.com reported that another member of Congress described him as the leading name under consideration for minority leader. Scalise and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota have also been mentioned as potential contenders, although Emmer told Axios last month that he intended to remain in his current position.

Johnson's spokesman, Lance Trover, dismissed speculation about the speaker's political future in a social media post on October 8. Trover argued that the discussion was distracting from the Republican fundraising effort and Johnson's campaign travel.

"All the DC speculation about the Speaker because he dared to speculate about his potential future in the lawn care business is hilarious. Not that I believe he'd be bad at it, but allowing it to overshadow the massive fundraising numbers announced this morning or the insane travel schedule he's doing to keep the majority seems to be nothing short of trying to drive a contrived narrative." Trover said.

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, predicted that voters would remove Johnson and the Republican majority from power. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Jeffries also raised the possibility of Democrats gaining control of the Senate.

"Well, he'll ultimately have to make a decision about what comes next. I can say that the American people are about to retire Mike Johnson and the Republican majority in the House and possibly even in the Senate." Jeffries said.

The leadership uncertainty comes against a historical backdrop of Republican speakers leaving Congress after losing or relinquishing the gavel. Yahoo News reported that the five previous Republican speakers—Newt Gingrich, Dennis Hastert, John Boehner, Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy—either retired or resigned from Congress after their speakerships ended.

NJ.com also reported that recent polls consistently showed Democratic candidates with an advantage over Republicans in generic congressional ballot surveys. President Donald Trump has urged Republican voters to act as though he were on the ballot, as the party prepares for the November elections.