Who is Mike Johnson?

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., became the newest House speaker on Wednesday. He claimed the speaker’s chair with 220 votes Wednesday, with Republicans in unanimous support.

What political experience does Mike Johnson have?

Johnson served in the Louisiana state legislature for two years before being elected to Congress in 2016. He is currently serving his fourth term in office, per the House.

Previous leadership positions include serving as deputy whip and chairman of the Republican Study Committee, referred to as “the intellectual arsenal of conservatism in the House.” Johnson was also elected vice chairman of the House Republican Conference in 2021 and was unanimously reelected in 2022.

In a letter to his colleagues, Johnson wrote on Oct. 21, “I spent more than 20 years fighting on the front lines of the culture as a constitutional law attorney, successfully litigating high profile cases in courts nationwide to defend and preserve the fundamental freedoms and conservative principles that define us and our great country. Along the way, I have served as legal counsel, policy analyst, and national media spokesman for some of our nation’s most prominent conservative organizations, a college professor, a conservative talk radio host, and a small business owner.”

What is Mike Johnson’s voting record?

Though it passed, Johnson voted against HR5692 which appropriated federal funding to Ukraine, aiding military defenses against Russia and establishing “an inspector general’s office to oversee aid,” Fox News reported.

NBC reported that Johnson did not support the most recent continuing resolution bill and voted twice against bills sending aid to Ukraine.

Earning a law degree in 1998 from Louisiana State University, Johnson has served in the House Judiciary Committee, the Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, the House Armed Services Committee and is chairman of the Constitution and Limited Government subcommittee.

Axios described Johnson as “well-liked” and of the eight other candidates has the highest share of sponsored bills that have become law at 6.5%.

What is Mike Johnson’s relationship with Donald Trump?

Over half of the House Republican caucus (126) signed the amicus brief Johnson led in 2020 supporting a Texas lawsuit “seeking to overturn the 2020 election results in four swing states,” per Axios.

In reaction to charges against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records in New York, Johnson posted on X on March 30. He said, “Many of us were traveling home from Congress this evening when news broke that the Soros-funded, violent crime-ignoring D.A. Alvin Bragg is proceeding with a bogus indictment of former President Donald Trump.”

He continued, “This unprecedented weaponization of our justice system is as shameless as it is dangerous. The Left now knows no bounds. We will keep fighting around the clock to expose and defeat their perverse agenda and restore the rule of law.”

Mike Johnson’s family and faith

Johnson has been married to his wife, Kelly, since 1999, and they currently live in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, with their four children.

The Louisiana lawmaker is also deeply religious and mentioned God several times in his Oct. 21 letter to his colleagues.

He said, “At this critical juncture, our House Republican majority must provide principled leadership. It is our duty to chart a new path, and answer with clarity and conviction who we are, why we are here, and what we are fighting for. As Scripture reminds us, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ (Prov. 29:18).”

He concluded, “It is my greatest honor to serve with all of you in this decisive time, and I would be humbled to earn your support and, by God’s grace, lead our historic cause as your Speaker.”

He signed off, “For freedom, Mike Johnson”.