Are House Republicans starting to worry?
Republicans' majority in the House of Representatives has dwindled to only two after Rep. Bill Johnson (Ohio) announced his resignation on Tuesday.
“After much thought and prayerful deliberation, I have accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University and will not be seeking an 8th term in Congress,” Rep. Johnson said in a statement posted to X.
“As I've stated previously, I wasn't looking for another job, because I love the one I have serving the people of Eastern Ohio in the U.S. House. This was an extremely difficult decision. This is not a goodbye, however. I will continue serving in the House for several more months, and you will see no let up. My offices are open and my staff remains ready to serve you,” Johnson continued.
Johnson resigned with an effective resignation date of Jan. 21 to take up the role of president of Youngstown State University in Ohio, according to The Vindicator. “With his contract indicating he would start prior to March 15, we are excited to have him on campus earlier than anticipated,” wrote the university's chairman of the board of trustees, Michael Peterson.
House Republicans' four-seat majority declined by two members over the month of December following the expulsion of George Santos (Ny.) and the resignation of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) from the chamber. (RELATED: McCarthy Announces Early Retirement)
The vacancies will be filled by special elections, which have been called in both Santos and McCarthy's former districts. It's unclear when a special election will be held in Johnson's district.
Johnson represents Ohio's 6th Congressional District, which has a partisan lean of R+16, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index.
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