After four nominees in three weeks—including two in just one day—House Republicans elected a new Speaker of the House this week: Mike Johnson from Louisiana.  His name may be a new one to you, as it is for many people.  In the days and weeks ahead, you will hear more about him.  You may have already heard: 

• He was a chief architect of former President Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 election, led efforts in the House to oppose certifying the 2020 election, and was deeply involved with developing the specious legal theory that Republicans used on January 6.


• He led efforts to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, including a bill that would ban discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity at any institution receiving federal funding.


• Just last year, he voted against the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which protects marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples.


• He supports extreme abortion restrictions—including criminalizing abortion nationwide with no exceptions.  He celebrated the end of Roe v. Wade as a “great, joyous occasion.”

Perhaps the most telling thing we heard this week came from Rep. Matt Gaetz, who said on Steve Bannon’s podcast: “If you don’t think that moving from Kevin McCarthy to MAGA Mike Johnson shows the ascendance of this movement and where the power in the Republican Party truly lies, then you’re not paying attention.”

We must pay attention.  

We will continue to learn more about Speaker Johnson in the days, weeks, and months ahead.  And I so hope we will be able to find some common ground, as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has offered time and again.

But we know enough already to be certain that Democrats must retake control of the House by winning the 2024 elections.  The stakes are too high to do anything else.  House Republicans have shown us who they are.  Believe them.  And act.  Vote.  Volunteer.  Donate. 

If you are able to contribute to our efforts to hold this seat and elect Democrats, it will help us run a strong campaign from now to next November.  You can do so here.

Together, we can do anything,