Free Republic

Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana — the fourth Republican to be nominated for House speaker since Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted three weeks ago — won the speakership in a party-line vote on Wednesday. The final vote was 220-209. Johnson, who represents a district in western Louisiana, was first elected to the House in 2016. He is a close ally of former President Donald Trump who had led many of the 2020 election challenges. What is Johnson's connection to 2020 election challenges? After the 2020 election, Johnson led an amicus brief signed by more than 100 House Republicans in support...

Final vote tally to come

Womack, Steve (AR) 52% Buck, Ken (CO) 96% Buchanan, Vern (FL) 57% Diaz-Balart, Mario (FL) 38% Giminez, Carlos (FL) 54% Rutherford, John (FL) 53% Ferguson, Drew (GA) 60% Miller-Meeks, Mariannette (IA) 63% Simpson, Mike (ID) 47% James, John (MI) Stauber, Pete (MN) 67% Bacon, Don (NE) 48% D'Esposito, Anthony (NY) Garbarino, Andrew (NY) 67% LaLota, Nick (NY) Lawler, Mike (NY) Chavez-DeRemer, Lori (OR) Kelly, Mike (PA) 67% Ellzey, Jake (TX) 69% Gonzales, Tony (TX) 58% Granger, Kay (TX) 51% Kiggans, Jan (VA)

House Republicans are rushing to elect a new speaker after GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy was dramatically ousted from his position on Tuesday in an unprecedented move. (For the record, he was the first speaker to ever be removed with a vote.) ... Majority Leader Steve Scalise As the new top-ranking House Republican, Steve Scalise is the most obvious choice to replace McCarthy, and he has already officially thrown his hat into the ring. ... Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan Jim Jordan was one of the House Republicans who defended McCarthy both ahead of and during the vote that ultimately ousted him....