In a bold move to resolve the ongoing deadlock within the GOP, Republicans have selected Mike Johnson, a relatively low-profile Louisiana Republican and a member of the GOP leadership, as their candidate for the coveted position of House speaker. This choice comes after three previous hopefuls faced insurmountable obstacles in their bid for the role.
The nomination of Mike Johnson followed Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s initial success, defeating Johnson and six other contenders. However, Emmer promptly withdrew his candidacy when he failed to secure the near-unanimous support required from the GOP for a House floor vote.
Now, Mike Johnson, the GOP Conference vice chair, finds himself at the epicenter of the political storm, tasked with the challenge of gathering 217 Republican votes, which constitute a simple majority in the full House and are essential to grasp the coveted gavel. The House floor vote is scheduled for as early as Wednesday afternoon.
Elected to Congress in 2016, Mike Johnson has garnered admiration among fellow Republicans, skillfully navigating the intricate political terrain on Capitol Hill while avoiding the creation of significant political adversaries.
At 51 years old, Johnson enjoys substantial support, following a trajectory similar to his political mentors, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan. Scalise and Jordan, too, had been nominated for the position of speaker in the past but chose to withdraw from the race. All three started their political careers as state lawmakers before advancing to leadership roles in Congress, with notable stints as heads of the Republican Study Committee, the most substantial conservative caucus in Congress.
Mike Johnson now aspires to achieve what the three previous nominees couldn’t: secure at least 217 of the 221 Republican votes required to become the House speaker. The decision of when to conduct this pivotal vote now rests with Johnson himself. Jim Jordan attempted multiple votes but fell short of victory, while Steve Scalise and Tom Emmer withdrew their nominations before any floor votes, acknowledging the absence of a clear path to triumph. Bijou Phillips Files for Unbelievable Divorce from Danny Masterson After Rape Conviction
On the national stage, Mike Johnson has operated discreetly, steering clear of the incendiary rhetoric and dramatic gestures employed by many lawmakers to garner attention. Nevertheless, his influence hasn’t gone unnoticed. This became apparent when a New York Times article, circulated by former Rep. Liz Cheney’s political team, referred to Johnson as “the most crucial architect of the Electoral College objections” on January 6, 2021, aimed at retaining then-President Donald Trump in power despite his electoral defeat.
The Times reported last year that numerous Republicans who voted to challenge pro-Biden electors leaned on an argument carefully crafted by Mike Johnson. This argument was notably different from allegations of widespread fraud, focusing instead on the assertion that certain states’ voting changes during the pandemic were unconstitutional.
Adding to the unpredictability of the speaker’s race is the involvement of former President Trump, who withdrew his support for Tom Emmer after Emmer’s nomination. Emmer had previously voted to certify the 2020 election results, a move that didn’t sit well with Trump’s allies.
Mike Johnson gained momentum early in the race when one of his rivals, Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern, withdrew from the competition and threw his support behind Johnson. In the final showdown, Johnson outperformed the remaining GOP contenders, including Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Small Business Chairman Roger Williams, and Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green.
In the third and final round of voting, Johnson secured victory against Rep. Byron Donalds, a member of the Freedom Caucus and one of only four Black Republicans in the House. While the vote was lopsided at 128 to 29 in favor of Johnson, it’s worth noting that 44 Republicans cast their votes for other candidates. McCarthy received 43 of those votes, while Jordan received one. These 44 votes could pose a significant challenge for Johnson in a House floor vote.
As the votes were being tallied, Texas Rep. Randy Weber expressed his skepticism about any of the candidates reaching the 217-vote threshold, citing the level of support for individuals who weren’t even official candidates.
The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown, as Mike Johnson, the unassuming yet influential Louisiana Republican, seeks to unite the GOP and secure the position of House speaker. The political landscape is fraught with uncertainty, and all eyes will be on the House floor vote as the future leadership of the House of Representatives hangs in the balance.
