Who is Mike Johnson? What to know about the GOP representative nominated for House speaker

Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson, a deputy whip and constitutional lawyer known for his fiery exchanges on the House Judiciary Committee, is the fourth nominee chosen by his GOP peers to serve as speaker.

In a crucial and legacy-defining decision, he sided with former President Donald Trump and voted to overturn the 2020 election results.

Johnson, the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, faces steep odds to get the 217 votes needed to win the gavel, especially considering he already has more than 40 votes against him. Those holdouts mostly favor ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

"Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system," Johnson said to reporters late Tuesday night. "This conference that you see, this House Republican majority, is united."

Johnson, 51, was a state representative for two years before being elected to Congress in 2016 and quickly rising in the ranks. In addition to the Judiciary committee, Johnson serves on the House Armed Services Committee and previously served a term as chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree and law degree from Louisiana State University, and he and his wife of 24 years, Kelly Johnson, have four children.

As speaker he would “chart a new path,” he told colleagues in a letter last weekend.

Johnson said the country is facing “one of the most fateful moments” in its history, citing the attack on Israel, emboldened foreign adversaries, high national debt, a southern border that is “overrun” and more.

“I have a clear vision and plan for how to lead us through these unprecedented challenges,” he said.

What would Mike Johnson do as speaker? 7 priorities

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., in a letter to colleagues over the weekend detailed what he’d focus on if elected House speaker.

He targeted seven priorities:

• Restore trust

• Advance a comprehensive policy agenda

• Promote individual members

• Engage members

• Effectively message

• Build and utilize external coalitions

• Develop and grow the GOP majority

“The complex role of Speaker at this time requires a team player and a bridge-builder with endless energy and a unique mix of skills and experiences,” he said in the letter. “My extensive background in law, policy, strategic analysis, messaging, managing, networking, and building coalitions happens to have served as uncommon preparation for the extraordinary demands of this day.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Mike Johnson? What to know about the new House speaker nominee