Local representatives Sykes, Joyce, comment on new Speaker of the House Johnson

While local Republicans congratulated U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Shreveport, as newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Democratic leaders were less than thrilled with the selection.

Johnson, 51, has represented Louisiana's 4th District since 2017. The district covers much of the western part of the state bordering Texas.

He fills the seat left vacant after California Republican and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed Oct. 3 by an eight-member faction of his party led by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. The group's defection left the McCarthy without the 217-member majority he needed to stay in office.

More reactions: Local US representatives weigh in on McCarthy's removal as House Speaker

Democrats declined to support McCarthy, casting their 212 votes instead for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York. Democrats remained united behind their party leader when the Republicans in two votes last week failed to support Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan's bid for the speakership.

In a statement, Ohio 13th District Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, had several objections to Johnson.

“I’m disappointed that after three weeks of House Republicans fighting amongst themselves and forcing Congress to a standstill, they have chosen to elect an extreme House Speaker that supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election, wants to criminalize abortion nationwide, and has worked to slash Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” she said. “People in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District deserve a Speaker of the House who will work together with any member to find common ground and bipartisan solutions— not someone who will double down on partisan politics meant to distract and divide us."

More: Ohio Republicans rally to try to stop ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Ohio 14th District Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, posted his reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter, congratulating Johnson and saying he looks forward to sitting down with him and other members of The Republican Governance Group/Tuesday Group PAC. The group includes 41 members of Congress and who say they "represent the most marginal, swing districts, and are ranked among the most bipartisan and most effective lawmakers on Capitol Hill."

"I’m looking forward to hosting you at an upcoming RG2 member meeting to learn more about our priorities for the 118th Congress," Joyce stated. "Now, it’s time to fund the government, secure the border, and get America back on track!"

Joyce had previously criticized Gaetz and the other members who pushed for McCarthy's ouster, calling the move "a tantrum aimed at personal and political gain."

Ohio 7th District Rep. Max Miller, R-Rocky River, had no immediate statement concerning the vote, but on Tuesday also criticized Gaetz and his allies.

"Congress has been paralyzed for 21 days because of 8 members who derailed the #conservative agenda," he stated on X. "Now our border is open, our enemies are acting & Congress is absent. We can’t ignore our duty any longer. It’s time to #GetToWork."

Miller had previously introduced a measure to freeze the pay of members of Congress in the event of a government shutdown.

Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, who represents half of Stark County, was pleased with Mike Johnson being elected.

"I am confident in Mike's ability to lead and unify our conference moving forward," he said in a prepared statement. "We've got a lot of work to do in the next few weeks, and it's way past time to move beyond the petty complaints and personal vendettas of a few of our members and get back to doing the job the American people sent us here to do. ... Let's go!"

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: U.S. Reps. Sykes, Joyce and Miller offer views on new House Speaker vote