Tennessee U.S. Representatives Mark Green (R-TN-07) and Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) each released statements Tuesday night pledging their support for Louisiana U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA-04), who was elected the Republican speaker nominee by a vote within the GOP conference.
Johnson is the GOP conference’s fourth speaker-designate since the House Speaker position was vacated three weeks ago on October 3. The first speaker-designate was House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-01), the second was U.S. Ohio Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH-04), and the third was Minnesota U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN-06).
Both Green and Fleischmann launched bids for Speaker of the House on Tuesday after Emmer suddenly withdrew his name for the position. However, both congressmen dropped out of the race shortly after the first ballot was tallied.
.@RepMikeJohnson will be a great and strong Speaker of the House.
I fully support Mike as our Speaker-designee and will vote for him to be our Speaker on the House Floor!
— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) October 25, 2023
In a tweet, Fleischmann said, “[Rep. Mike Johnson] will be a great and strong Speaker of the House. I fully support Mike as our Speaker-designee and will vote for him to be our Speaker on the House Floor!”
Green also released a statement pledging his support for Johnson, saying, “It was an honor for me to endorse Mike Johnson as our next Speaker when I ended my campaign. It’s time to unite behind Speaker-designate Johnson and to get back to work.”
I didn’t run for Speaker of the House because I wanted the job. In fact, I said no to my colleagues multiple times. Yet after seeing the House without a Speaker for three weeks, unable to accomplish the People’s business, I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring. 2/3
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) October 25, 2023
Commenting on his own bid for Speaker, Green added, “I didn’t run for Speaker of the House because I wanted the job. In fact, I said no to my colleagues multiple times. Yet after seeing the House without a Speaker for three weeks, unable to accomplish the People’s business, I knew I had to throw my hat in the ring. It will take a unified Republican Conference to secure the border, cut inflationary spending, and preserve the Constitution–these are our ultimate goals. I’m ready to help Mike Johnson in leading us to accomplish these goals.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Rep Mark Green” by Rep. Mark Green.
I don’t know why Fleischmann decided to throw his hat. He’s got his own problems.