Mike Johnson says he intends to remain GOP leader if Republicans lose House majority: “Heaven forbid”

Updated on: October 12, 2026 / 7:53 AM EDT / CBS News

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he intends to serve as GOP leader if Republicans lose their House majority in November — but he remains bullish about the party's chances despite significant headwinds.

"In the unlikely scenario where we lost the majority, I would expect my colleagues would ask me to continue leading this conference, even if we have divided government," Johnson told CBS News' Robert Costa in an interview near Johnson's hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Johnson, who has led House Republicans as speaker since 2023, has repeatedly pushed back on questions about his plans if the GOP loses the majority in the lower chamber in November. Known for his optimistic outlook, the speaker has expressed confidence that Republicans will hold on to the chamber, or even grow their narrow majority. But midterm dynamics traditionally boost the party opposing the party in control of the White House, and the unpopular war in Iran, high gas and diesel prices and other controversial Trump administration policies have added to those challenges for the GOP.

Last week, a comment Johnson made to Fox News on his plans for his future fueled speculation…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/