House Republicans are sending their third pinch hitter to the plate, nominating Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) to be Speaker just hours after House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s (R-Minn.) nomination theatrically tanked. 

The House is voting on Johnson’s nomination as we speak, and we should know his fate shortly. Watch the House vote live 

Does Johnson have a real chance at winning?: Yes! There is a sense of optimism for Johnson’s support. I haven’t heard this sentiment much in the past three weeks, so this could end the saga. 

❌ Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) 

❌ Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) 

❌ Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.)

🤷‍♀️ Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) 

^ Starts humming “Another One Bites the Dust.” 

Live blog of updates — which has been very helpful 

RIP Tom Emmer’s Speaker nomination — 10/24/23 12:16 p.m. to 10/24/23 at 4:24 p.m.: Emmer won the nomination on the fifth ballot yesterday. But after internal fights and strongly worded opposition from former President Trump, his bid dramatically collapsed just a few hours later. More on why Emmer only lasted a few hours 

Yikes — tidbit from the internal arguments: Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.) told Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) in a closed-door meeting that he “didn’t need to get right with him, he needed to ‘get right with Jesus’ because Emmer supported gay marriage,” according to Punchbowl News. The room reportedly gasped.  

Later, Emmer “briskly walked” out of the building. “The meeting is ongoing and he’s gone,” Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman described, adding that Emmer “just …… left. Said nothing.”  

^ FWIW, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is also googling Johnson: CNN’s Lauren Fox posted that she “asked Susan Collins what it would be like to work with Johnson on spending issues and she said she doesn’t know him, but was going to Google him this morning.” Sen. John  Barrasso (R-Wyo.) also said he “doesn’t know him.”  
 

Let’s help everyone get to know Mike Johnson — I’ll be short: Johnson, 51, was elected to Congress in 2016 after serving in the Louisiana House for two years. He serves on the House Judiciary and Armed Services committees. Johnson voted to object to the election results in both Arizona and Pennsylvania. He now serves as the vice chairman of the Republican Conference. What else to know about Johnson