Optimism is growing among Republicans that Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) will be elected Speaker of the House on Wednesday, putting an end to three weeks of infighting since the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
The majority of the House GOP conference voted late Tuesday night to advance Johnson as their speaker designate, with 128 member pledging their support.
GOP caucus members had previously nominated Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana to the speakership.
Jordan failed in three rounds of floor voting as more than 20 holdouts opposed him, whereas Scalise and Emmer exited the speaker’s race without having House members cast any ballots.
While 43 members reportedly voted for McCarthy on the secret ballot for Johnson, the former speaker and his allies have expressed full support for Johnson as he heads to a noon floor vote today.
“@RepMikeJohnson is a friend, fighter, and principled conservative who can get the job done,” McCarthy posted Wednesday morning on X.
“He has my full support as Speaker. We’ll keep working together to put our country first and fulfill our Commitment to America.”
Johnson has also received the backing of House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.).
“Mike Johnson is a principled, devout, family man who loves and values the Constitution and our Nation. He will change the status quo. Full support,” he said on X.
Continued…
Approved ~ MJM
