Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Hill reports:
House Republican Vice Chair Mike Johnson (R-La.) officially announced he is in the race for Speaker in a “Dear Colleague” letter to members on Saturday morning.
“I have been humbled to have so many Members from across our Conference reach out to encourage me to seek the nomination for Speaker,” Johnson said in his letter. “Until yesterday, I had never contacted one person about this, and I have never before aspired to the office. However, after much prayer and deliberation, I am stepping forward now.”
House Republicans are set to meet behind closed doors for their candidate forum on Monday at 6:30 p.m., then will move to a nomination. The deadline for candidates to file their official bids for Speaker is Sunday at noon.
Read the full article. Johnson is the third GOP rep to formally seek the speakership with several others saying they may jump in.
An election denier who voted against certifying the 2020 election, Johnson appeared here in December 2022 when he introduced a federal “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
As a Louisiana state rep, in 2015 he introduced an ultimately failed bill that would have legalized anti-LGBTQ discrimination. In 2018, Johnson joined with anti-LGBTQ evangelical Kirk Cameron in an attempt to allow Christian prayer in Louisiana’s public schools.
In January 2023, Johnson and hate group leader Tony Perkins agreed that Jesus had made Kevin McCarthy speaker. In June 2023, Johnson posted a since-deleted tweet claiming that it was illegal to fly a rainbow flag at the White House.
Prior to running for public office, Johnson worked as senior counsel and national spokesperson for the viciously anti-LGBTQ hate group, the Alliance Defending Freedom. From 2004-2012, he served as a trustee for the Southern Baptist Convention.
House Republican Vice Chair Mike Johnson sends “Dear Colleague” letter pushing his speakership https://t.co/P9NNloyJK6 pic.twitter.com/dHIZaLGMdI
— The Hill (@thehill) October 21, 2023