Washington, D.C. — With the threat of a government shutdown still looming, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism Monday that the results of Tuesday’s key elections could shift the political landscape — and perhaps prompt Democrats to change course.

Speaking to reporters, Johnson pointed to the upcoming gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey as well as the New York City mayoral contest as potential turning points.

“I hope the election tomorrow is a change, a sea change, in all this,” Johnson said. “Maybe after tomorrow, they’ll come to their common senses again and do the right thing. We certainly pray that is true.”

The Speaker’s comments reflect growing frustration among House Republicans, who have accused Democrats of stonewalling budget negotiations and using the shutdown threat as political leverage.

Johnson, who has sought to project both firmness and faith since taking the gavel, framed the elections as a moment of accountability — a test of how voters feel about the direction of the country and Washington’s ongoing dysfunction.

While Democrats argue that Republicans are holding the budget hostage with partisan demands, Johnson maintains that his party’s focus is on restoring fiscal discipline and making government “work efficiently for the American people.”

“We’re trying to govern responsibly,” he said. “We just need partners who are willing to do the same.”

Political observers say the Speaker’s remarks underscore how deeply the upcoming elections have become intertwined with the budget fight. A strong showing by Republicans in Virginia or New Jersey, analysts note, could strengthen Johnson’s hand in negotiations and increase pressure on Democrats to compromise.

However, others caution that local races rarely alter national standoffs — and that the shutdown clock is still ticking.

As one Capitol Hill aide put it, “Johnson’s hoping for momentum from the ballot box, but math — not messaging — will decide whether the government stays open.”

Still, for a Speaker balancing intense internal divisions and a skeptical Senate, Tuesday’s results could offer at least one thing Washington hasn’t had much of lately: a reason to hope.