Johnson, Mike (1972-… ), is an American politician who was elected speaker of the United States House of Representatives on Oct. 25, 2023. Johnson, a Republican, has represented the fourth district of Louisiana in the U.S. Congress since January 2017. This district includes much of northwestern Louisiana. 
James Michael Johnson was born in Shreveport, in northwestern Louisiana, on Jan. 30, 1972. He attended Louisiana State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1995 and a law degree in 1998. After completing his education, Johnson advocated for conservative causes. He worked as an attorney for a group called the Alliance Defense Fund, focusing on religious liberty.
In 2015, Johnson ran unopposed in a special election for an empty seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives. The next year, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson was sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2017. He won reelection in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
In Congress, Johnson has served on the House committees on the Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Natural Resources. As a congressman, Johnson has sponsored legislation to cut government spending, restrict abortions, and strengthen the U.S. border with Mexico. In January 2021, Republican representatives selected Johnson to be the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, a leadership position. Johnson, together with many other House Republicans, voted to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election in which President Donald Trump lost to former vice president Joe Biden.
On Oct. 3, 2023, right-wing opponents of Republican representative Kevin McCarthy ousted him from his position as speaker of the House. In the following weeks, several nominees failed in their efforts to be elected speaker. House Republicans nominated Johnson on October 24, and he was elected speaker the following day.
