WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Saturday that he is running for Speaker of The House, revealing on social media a letter he sent to Congress.
Johnson's announcement comes after an unprecedented nearly four weeks without a Speaker of The House, as well as two unsuccessful bids for the job Republican nominees.
"I have been humbled by so many members from across our conference reach out to encourage me to seek the nomination for Speaker," Johnson said. "Until yesterday, I had never contacted one person about this, and I have never before aspired to the office. However, after much prayer and deliberation, I am stepping forward now."
In his announcement, Rep. Johnson highlighted foreign policy issues, calling out the Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel, and naming Russia and China as adversaries.
Johnson would need to secure a majority of his caucus' support to earn the Republican nomination, after which he would likely need nearly all House Republicans to vote for him.
A candidate for speaker needs 217 votes to survive a House vote. The Republican caucus has 221 members, meaning nearly all party members would have to vote in lock-step for a GOP speaker candidate to win.
All 212 House Democrats have consistently voted for Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)
On Friday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) lost a third vote on the House floor, with 25 Republicans voting against him. Shortly after, a secret-ballot vote by party members booted Jordan as the Republican nominee for the job.
If Republicans rally around Johnson, and he is successful on the House floor, the 51-year-old Republican would become the first Louisiana representative to serve as speaker.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) had received the Republican nomination earlier this month, but dropped out of the race after a number of fellow Republicans pledged to not support him.
Scalise received eight votes during Jordan's Friday's House floor vote for speaker despite having dropped out of the race.
All Louisiana Republicans, including Scalise and Johnson, cast all of their ballots for Jordan last week. While Rep. Troy Carter, the state delegation's only Democrat voted for Minority Leader Jeffries.
