Mike Johnson wins GOP conference vote to become latest speaker designee

Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson on Tuesday won the Republican conference vote to become the party's latest speaker designee, making him the fourth lawmaker to reach that stage in the race to claim the speaker's gavel.

Johnson emerged triumphant on the third round of voting, earning 128 votes, according to Punchbowl News's Jake Sherman. He beat out Reps. Byron Donalds, Fla.; Mark Green, Tenn.; Roger Williams, Texas; and Chuck Fleischmann, Tenn. Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik congratulated Johnson on his victory after the vote. 

"Congratulations Speaker-designate [Mike Johnson]!" she wrote on X.

Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who backed Donalds, stated after the vote that Donalds was supporting Johnson and that the speaker vote would occur at noon on Wednesday.

"Johnson got it! Byron is fully backing him. Speaker vote tomorrow at noon!" she posted.

Earlier that day, Johnson placed second against House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who managed to secure the party's designation, but dropped out the race within hours and without a single floor vote after former President Donald Trump announced his opposition to an Emmer speakership.

The conference previously backed Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, neither of whom managed to secure enough support among their own party to assume the post.

Johnson currently serves as the conference vice chair under Stefanik. He has represented the Pelican State's 4th Congressional District since January 2017, after first winning election during the November prior.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.