Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) easily won reelection in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, Decision Desk HQ projects, securing a fifth term in Congress even as his future in GOP leadership remains uncertain.
Johnson beat Republican Joshua Morott, who ran to the right of the Speaker. Morott, for example, advocated for abolishing the Education Department and repealing ObamaCare, and he said he was against “all foreign aid” to prioritize domestic affairs.
The reelection win is Johnson’s first victory since becoming Speaker of the House. The Louisiana Republican won the gavel after last year’s historic ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), catapulting him from the vice chair of the House GOP conference to the top lawmaker in the chamber in a stunning fashion.
Last month marked one year since Johnson ascended to the leading role.
Tuesday’s win, however, comes as questions continue to swirl about his future in House GOP leadership. Johnson has said he wants to continue serving as Speaker if Republicans keep control of the lower chamber, but he has not signaled what his plans might be if the GOP is relegated to the minority.
He could have a tough time keeping hold of the gavel even if Republicans remain in the majority, depending on their margin in the chamber. Some lawmakers have signaled that they will not support Johnson for the top job in the future, threatening his chances of remaining in the role.
