At Johnson’s most vulnerable point yet, GOP sees potential successors jostle

A growing group of Republicans predict Mike Johnson will either step aside or be thrown out if they lose the majority this fall. | Francis Chung/POLITICOMike Johnson’s speakership is reaching its most vulnerable point yet, with House GOP discontent spreading beyond the conservatives whose fury has spiked over his handling of a foreign aid plan that will need major Democratic help to pass.

While colleagues are closely watching Scalise, Emmer and Jordan, the biggest scrutiny is falling on Scalise as Johnson pushes forward on a foreign aid package that could trigger a vote on his removal. Scalise is seen as the biggest threat to Johnson, not simply because he’s the House GOP’s No. 2. He earned more support in October’s frenetic leadership fights than Emmer or Jordan, and it’s clear that he’s still interested in the top spot.

“Anybody that’s talking about what titles they want for next year is really not focused on what’s right in front of us,” Scalise added. “I’m not running against him,” Jordan said when asked whether he is weighing a challenge against Johnson after the November elections, adding: “We should keep Mike Johnson in charge of the House.”

Johnson’s allies have largely dismissed the idea that his days in charge are numbered regardless of the November election results. In an interview last month, Johnson said he hasn’t “even considered” his plans for seeking the top spot again and has not “given thought to” the possibility of whether or not members of his current leadership team will try to challenge him for the top spot.

Despite Jordan’s public disavowal of any interest in a challenge, he has raised some eyebrows since Johnson has become speaker with some remarks he’s made in front of colleagues behind closed doors, according to three GOP members — including remarks along the lines of “the way I would’ve done it is” or what the speaker “.” Those types of remarks, these people noted, didn’t happen in front of other members when he disagreed with McCarthy on policy matters.

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