GOP Senator threatens boycott of key vote after midterm rebuke: 'Not going to participate'

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) appears to be throwing a wrench in Republicans' plans to elect leadership early.

Speaking to Scripps News on Monday, Johnson warned that he will not participate if Republicans hold this vote tomorrow, even if they thoroughly debate the issues beforehand.

"I'm not going to participate in an election that's held that early," said Johnson, adding that if the vote is held, he will "leave the room."

Johnson, who is already likely to be one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for re-election in 2028 if he chooses to seek another term, is not alone in expressing his concerns.

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) echoed a similar sentiment on X, saying, "We are less than a week removed from Tuesday’s elections, and need to understand how and why we lost the trust of the American people. We also need, as a Conference, to address how our rules have empowered members to vote against rules, bills, and even the Speaker. Failing to address these issues before choosing someone new to lead our Conference is doing a disservice to whoever we choose as Republican Leader."

"We should delay our Leadership elections until we decide how to hold each other accountable and what our path forward should be," Smith continued. "Our rules must never again permit a Leader to be taken hostage to the whims of an individual member. We can and must do better."