Rep. Mike Johnson voted next House speaker

House Republicans on Wednesday elected Mike Johnson, R-La., as House speaker with virtually unanimous support—220 votes out of 221. One Republican, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, was absent. Three Democrats were also absent, leaving House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., with only 209 votes. In a brief address to the House, Johnson acknowledged “different points of view” with Jeffries, but “we'll find common ground.” Johnson is vice chairman of the House Republican Conference and a member of the House Judiciary Committee. He has also served on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

How did Johnson get to this position? Republicans had nominated Johnson late Tuesday night after nominating House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., earlier in the day. Just hours after receiving the nomination, Emmer withdrew from the race. The previous two Republican nominees for the speakership—House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio—failed to secure enough support to become speaker. Republicans voted on Oct. 3 to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew about Johnson’s bid to secure the gavel.