Mike Johnson is the first Republican House speaker from the South since Newt Gingrich, putting the region back in the driver's seat of GOP politics

Sun, 10/29/2023 - 15:02

Mike Johnson Newt Gingrich — House Speaker Mike Johnson, left, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
AP Photo/David Becker; AP Photo/Dennis Cook

Rep. Mike Johnson's ascent to the House speakership last week took most in the GOP by surprise.
He's now the first House speaker from the South since Newt Gingrich held the gavel in the 1990s.
Johnson's elevation puts the South front and center. The region could determine control of the House.

Rep. Mike Johnson's ascent to the speakership came so quickly that during his acceptance speech, he mentioned that his wife couldn't make it to Washington in time to attend his swearing-in ceremony.