Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected speaker Wednesday by the full House on a first vote. Johnson, a relatively unknown, staunchly conservative Republican, succeeds Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), whose ouster this month was led by hard-right members of the party. The House GOP previously picked three higher-profile nominees, none of whom could win over Republican holdouts and secure a majority vote. Johnson is an ally of former president Donald Trump and opposed certifying the 2020 election. He is antiabortion, voted against Ukraine aid and supports LGBTQ restrictions.
Mike Johnson elected House speaker after weeks-long process
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