US midterm elections 2026 live updates: Trump defiant about brutal Republican losses and acknowledges Iran war’s unpopularity
President again insisted that if he were on the ballot Republicans would have won, despite historic losses: ‘They just couldn’t transfer that love’ Live results | Republican losses mapped Tell us: how do you feel about the midterm results? Sign up for Breaking News US email Wall Street surged at the open, after Democrats scored historic victories in midterm elections and secured control of US Congress. The Dow Jones…
Key points
- Steve Scalise will run for House minority leader after Republicans lost their majority in the midterms.
- Scalise faces Jim Jordan, who also announced a bid; both lost the 2023 speaker race.
- Speaker Mike Johnson is not planning to seek a leadership post in the next Congress.
Louisiana representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, has announced he will run for minority leader in the next Congress. The move follows reports that House speaker Mike Johnson does not plan to seek a leadership position after the party's midterm losses.
Scalise, who has served in House GOP leadership for more than a decade, will face Ohio representative Jim Jordan, who also announced his bid. The two men previously competed unsuccessfully for the speaker's post in 2023.
Scalise pledges changes
In a letter to colleagues, Scalise called for "substantive changes to the way our conference operates, including clear expectation-setting with meaningful accountability." He said the party needs unity and a clear vision to regain voters' trust by 2028.
Scalise wrote that he is "ready to lead on day one" and wants to chart a path back to the majority. Republicans are entering the minority for the first time in four years.
I am ready to lead on day one and chart our path back to the majority
— Steve Scalise
Jordan calls for lessons
Jordan, who chairs the judiciary committee, told colleagues the party must learn from the midterm results. He wrote that "offense, not defense, wins elections" and pledged to focus on safer neighborhoods, keeping more money in Americans' pockets and protecting American values and freedoms.
He added that restoring the majority requires restoring voters' faith in the party's ability to deliver on those principles.
