DALLAS, Texas — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana used the closing night of the Republican midterm convention Thursday to make the case for keeping his party in control of Congress, contrasting the GOP’s record with what he described as an increasingly leftward shift among Democrats.
Johnson, a Republican who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, represents nearly 760,000 residents across 20 parishes in western, northwestern and northeastern Louisiana, according to his congressional office. He is serving his fifth term in Congress and is the 56th speaker of the House.
“This election presents a glaring contrast for America, and it truly is a contrast between common sense and crazy,” Johnson said. “Republicans stand for common sense, of course. We stand for our nation’s founding principles.”
The two-day Dallas convention brought together President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other Republican leaders as the party works to retain its congressional majorities in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Johnson used much of his speech to highlight Republican priorities and legislative actions during the 119th Congress, including tax cuts, immigration enforcement and reductions in federal spending. He also pointed to lower prescription drug prices and tax provisions affecting tips, overtime, seniors and families with children.
Republicans have made their sweeping tax and spending legislation a central part of their midterm campaign. The law expanded or extended a number of tax breaks while also reducing spending on programs including Medicaid and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office has projected that changes to Medicaid under the law will increase the number of people without health insurance.
Johnson argued that Republican policies have helped improve the economy and strengthen border security while accusing Democrats of supporting policies that would increase taxes, government spending and illegal immigration.
His speech included some of the convention’s sharpest partisan rhetoric. Johnson characterized Democratic candidates as “radical, far-left” and said Republicans must prevent Democrats from gaining control of Congress.
“We cannot, and will not, allow them to take the majority in the Congress,” Johnson said.
Johnson also sought to frame the election in terms of its effects on individual households.
“There’s really one really important question that you should ask in this midterm election,” he said. “Which party’s candidates and policies are better for me and my family, for my aging parents, for my children’s future?”
The speaker closed his remarks by invoking former President John Quincy Adams and Abraham Lincoln, recounting Adams’ opposition to slavery during his post-presidential service in the House and Lincoln’s later role in ending slavery.
Johnson told the convention that Republicans had a duty to make their case to voters and expressed confidence that the party would prevail in November.
Johnson has represented Louisiana’s 4th District since 2017 and became speaker in October 2023. The Shreveport native is the first Louisiana member of Congress to serve as speaker of the House.