Exploring Rep Mike Johnson: The House GOP's Latest Speaker Nominee

Rep. Mike Johnson, the Republican nominee for the next speaker of the House, has been a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump and played a prominent role in the unsuccessful efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Having been elected to the House in 2016, the Louisiana Republican currently holds several important positions within the party, including vice chairman of the House Republican Conference and GOP deputy whip. As an attorney who specializes in constitutional law, Johnson was among a group of House Republicans who voted to sustain objections to electoral votes on January 6, 2021. Additionally, during Trump's first impeachment trial in January 2020, Johnson and other GOP lawmakers played a largely ceremonial role as part of Trump's Senate impeachment team.

In 2020, Johnson reached out to every House Republican via a personal email account, requesting their signatures for an amicus brief. The brief was for the Texas lawsuit, which had slim chances of success, aiming to invalidate electoral college votes from multiple states.

After Joe Biden was announced as the winner of the election on November 7, 2020, Johnson took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the following message: "I just spoke with President Trump and conveyed my support. Stay strong and keep fighting! The nation is relying on your determination. We must explore all available legal options to restore the American people's trust in the fairness of our election system."

Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, casts his vote in opposition to the initial article of impeachment targeting President Donald Trump. This pivotal moment occurred in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2019.

Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AP

Although Trump said he wont endorse anyone in the speakers race Wednesday, he leant support to Johnson in a post on Truth Social.

"In 2024, we will achieve an even larger and significantly more significant victory! I highly recommend supporting the top candidate, Mike Johnson, and accomplishing our goals swiftly!" Trump announced.

Johnson is a member of both the Judiciary Committee and the Armed Services Committee, as well as a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

After obtaining a business administration degree from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Johnson embarked on his professional journey as both a college professor and a conservative talk radio host. Initially, he delved into politics by serving in the Louisiana legislature from 2015 to 2017, eventually attaining a seat in Congress representing Louisiana's Fourth District.

Rep. Mike Johnson files his paperwork at the secretary of state's office after qualifying for his congressional reelection bid on July 20, 2018, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Melinda Deslatte/AP

Rep. Kevin Hern, the Republican Study Committee's influential chairman and representative from Oklahoma, withdrew from the speaker race on Tuesday night and endorsed Johnson.

"I want to emphasize that this race has become extremely chaotic. It has deviated from its true purpose, which is about the American people," Hern stated. "We should focus on America's greatness, and for that reason, I have decided to step aside and fully support Mike Johnson. I firmly believe that he would excel as the speaker."

Johnson entered the race for the House Republican Conferences nominee for speaker in response to Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmers withdrawal, which occurred shortly after he was chosen as the nominee. Emmers faced opposition from the right wing of the conference and received criticism from Trump. Following Emmers' decision, Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan also stepped back, despite previously expressing interest in the speakership. Johnson's announcement was made on X, formerly known as Twitter, in a post on Saturday.

"I am deeply touched by the support I have received from numerous Members within our Conference, urging me to consider running for the position of Speaker. Prior to yesterday, I had not reached out to anyone in this regard, and I had never harbored ambitions for this office," he stated in a letter posted online. "Nevertheless, after careful reflection and prayer, I am now taking the initiative."