(NewsNation) — U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., will run for a second term as Speaker of the House, he announced in a letter to colleagues Wednesday, although party control of the chamber remains uncalled.
Johnson won his reelection bid to represent Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District — one of 212 Republican candidates to win their races so far, according to NewsNation election results partner Decision Desk HQ.
“With unified Republican government, if we meet this historic moment together, the next two years can result in the most consequential Congress of the modern era,” Johnson said in the letter.
Republicans are only six seats away from gaining control of the House. Either party needs 218 seats out of 435 to control the chamber. Democrats hold 197 seats as of Thursday morning.
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“We will operate from our well designed playbook, and execute those plays with precision, to put points on the board and win for the American people,” Johnson said, using a football metaphor. “We, of course, are the players who will make all this happen, and I look forward to the pre-game warm-up over the next several weeks.”
Johnson’s policy goals align with those of President-elect Donald Trump: secure borders, adjust taxes, return to American energy dominance, reduce regulations, “end the woke agenda,” and “restore fiscal sanity to Washington.”
He assumed office in October last year after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in an unprecedented move from members of the majority party during a legislative session.
“I’m ready to take the field with all of you, and I am humbly asking for your support to continue leading
this Conference as your Speaker,” Johnson said. “It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve with you thus far, and I look forward to playing the biggest offense of our lives.”
DDHQ predicts the GOP will be the majority party in the House once all races are called. Republicans already gained control of the Senate.
