Mike Johnson (Louisiana politician)

Mike Johnson (Louisiana politician) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, he has represented Louisiana's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. Johnson rose to national prominence after being elected Speaker in October 2023, following the historic ouster of his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.

Early life and education

James Michael Johnson was born on January 30, 1972, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is the son of Jeanne (née Boudreaux) and James Patrick Johnson, a Shreveport Fire Department firefighter who suffered severe injuries in a 1984 blaze. Johnson graduated from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport before attending Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1995 and a Juris Doctor from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1998. During his time at Louisiana State University, Johnson was active in campus ministry and served as president of the Christian Legal Society.

Legal and political career before Congress

After law school, Johnson worked in private practice, specializing in constitutional law and religious liberty cases. He served as a legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group, and represented clients in high-profile cases involving the Ten Commandments and same-sex marriage. Johnson entered electoral politics in 2015, winning a special election to represent the 8th District in the Louisiana House of Representatives. During his single term in the Louisiana State Legislature, he was a prominent social conservative voice and authored legislation such as the Marriage and Conscience Act. He also served as a national delegate for Ted Cruz at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

U.S. House of Representatives

Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016, succeeding fellow Republican John Fleming. He quickly aligned with the House Freedom Caucus and established himself as a staunch conservative. Johnson served on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. He chaired the influential Republican Study Committee from 2019 to 2021 and was elected Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021. Following the removal of Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, Johnson emerged as a consensus candidate after several other nominees failed to secure enough votes. He was elected Speaker of the United States House of Representatives on October 25, 2023, with unanimous support from the House Republican Conference.

Political positions

Johnson is a staunch social and fiscal conservative. He is a vocal opponent of abortion and was a leading architect of the legal argument for the Trump campaign's efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. He voted against certifying the electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania following the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Johnson supports significant reductions in federal spending, a strong national defense, and Second Amendment rights. He has been a critic of the Biden administration's foreign policy and domestic agenda. On foreign affairs, he is a strong supporter of Israel and has advocated for increased aid to Ukraine under specific conditions.

Personal life

Johnson married Kelly Lary in 1999. The couple has four children and resides in Benton, Louisiana. He is an ordained minister and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, frequently referencing his Christian faith as central to his worldview. Prior to his speakership, Johnson and his wife operated an online ministry. He has cited Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, and William Wilberforce as political and moral influences. Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana