By Charles Nwoke
House Republicans have unified behind a new speaker nominee, GOP Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, R-La., after a tumultuous series of events and an intraparty struggle. The news came late Tuesday, following a day of intense closed-door meetings. Johnson became the fourth Republican speaker nominee in a span of just three weeks.
Members of the House GOP were optimistic that the conference had finally found a candidate capable of uniting their ranks. A House-wide vote is scheduled for Wednesday just after noon to officially confer the role on Johnson.
“My wife and I were talking, and I said, if we can get somebody like a Mike Johnson, we would be very fortunate,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., stated to reporters after the vote. Burchett, who was among the eight Republicans who voted against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy three weeks ago, described Johnson as cerebral and commendably “cleaner than a hound’s tooth,” borrowing an old east Tennessee saying.
Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, initially one of 20 Republicans opposing McCarthy’s speakership bid earlier this year, described Johnson as a “capable” and “good man.” He emphasized the importance of selecting a leader who is right for the American people.
Additionally, Johnson received the endorsement of senior leadership within the party, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had initially been tipped to replace McCarthy before he withdrew due to mounting opposition. Scalise praised Johnson as “honest, hardworking, and principled” and expressed eagerness to collaborate with him to steer the country in the right direction.
Earlier in the day, Republicans had rallied behind Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., only to see him withdraw his candidacy due to opposition, including from former President Donald Trump. GOP lawmakers quickly reconvened, leading to Johnson’s emergence as the favored candidate, who had previously lost to Emmer in a preliminary round.
Johnson’s subsequent roll call vote saw no opposition, with just a handful of members voting “present.” During a press conference following the vote, Johnson was flanked by House Republicans, who energetically cheered as he pledged to uphold conservative values.
However, the absence of approximately 19 members during Tuesday’s vote could be a variable in Wednesday’s official tally. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., dismissed concerns over the absentees affecting the outcome, while Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., emphasized that the conference had successfully unified and that the missing members would likely recognize the importance of unity for the mission ahead.
The development marks a significant step for House Republicans, who appear eager to turn a new chapter and coalesce around new leadership. Johnson’s unopposed nomination suggests a potential end to the factional infighting that has plagued the party in recent weeks.