Mike Johnson: From Bachelorette Star to Speaker – Net Worth 2024
In October 2023, Mike Johnson’s rapid ascent from a little-known Louisiana congressman to Speaker of the United States House of Representatives took many by surprise.
A conservative Republican with deep ties to evangelical Christianity, Johnson emerged as a compromise candidate after weeks of GOP infighting following Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.
Though relatively new to national politics, Johnson’s legal background and staunch conservative views have quickly made him an influential figure in Washington. Let’s examine the life and career of the 56th Speaker of the House.
Who is Mike Johnson?
James Michael Johnson was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on January 30, 1972. The oldest of four children, Johnson grew up in a working-class family, with his father serving as a Shreveport firefighter. After his father was severely injured in a fire in 1984, the family faced financial hardship. This experience had a profound impact on the young Johnson.
Johnson attended Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport. He became the first in his family to graduate college when he earned a business degree from Louisiana State University in 1995. He then received his law degree from LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1998.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Michael Johnson |
| Birth Date | January 30, 1972 |
| Birthplace | Shreveport, Louisiana, USA |
| Age (as of 2024) | 52 years |
| Height | Approximately 6 feet |
| Occupation | Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Former Congressman |
Personal Life and Relationships
Mike Johnson married Kelly Renee Lary on May 1, 1999. The couple entered into what’s known as a “covenant marriage,” a legally distinct type of marriage that makes divorce more difficult to obtain. They appeared on television in the late 1990s to promote covenant marriage laws in Louisiana.
The Johnsons have four biological children – Hannah, Abigail, Jack, and Will. They also took in and became legal guardians to Michael Tirrell James when he was 14. James, who is Black, has said the Johnsons changed the trajectory of his life by welcoming him into their family.
Johnson and his wife Kelly co-host a podcast called “Truth Be Told,” which discusses current events and issues from a Christian perspective. Johnson has described himself as “first and foremost a Christian” and says his faith informs everything he does in his personal and political life.
Professional Career and Rise in Politics
After law school, Johnson worked as a constitutional lawyer, often taking on cases related to religious liberty. He served as senior legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal advocacy group.
In this role, he defended Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage and worked on other high-profile cases related to religious freedom and social issues.
Johnson’s political career began in 2015 when he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. He served in the state legislature until 2016 when he successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Louisiana’s 4th congressional district.
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In Congress, Johnson quickly aligned himself with the conservative wing of the Republican Party. He joined the Republican Study Committee, the most prominent conservative caucus in Congress, eventually becoming its chairman from 2019 to 2021. He also served as vice chair of the House Republican Conference from 2021 to 2023.
Johnson gained national attention for his role in contesting the 2020 presidential election results. He led an effort to file an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit challenging the election results and voted against certifying the Electoral College votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania.
Speaker of the House
In October 2023, following weeks of Republican infighting after Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker, Johnson emerged as a compromise candidate. He was elected Speaker on October 25, 2023, becoming the first person from Louisiana to hold the position.
As Speaker, Johnson has faced numerous challenges, including passing government funding bills and addressing aid for Ukraine and Israel. He has had to navigate between the demands of hardline conservatives and the need to work with Democrats to pass legislation in a narrowly divided House.
Age and Physique
Mike Johnson was born on January 30, 1972, and is 52 years old as of 2024. He is about 6 feet tall and maintains a fit physique. Johnson has spoken about the importance of physical fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle alongside his political and religious convictions.
Net Worth and Salary
As Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson earns an annual salary of $223,500. This is a significant increase from the $174,000 he earned as a rank-and-file member of Congress. However, Johnson’s net worth is relatively modest compared to many of his colleagues in Congress.
According to financial disclosures, Johnson’s net worth was estimated to be around $100,000 as of 2023. This includes a home in Benton, Louisiana, valued between $500,000 and $600,000, offset by mortgage debt. Johnson has reported having little savings or investments outside of his home equity.
In addition to his congressional salary, Johnson has earned income from teaching online courses at Liberty University. In 2022, he reported earning about $30,000 from this work.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2024) | Estimated around $100,000 |
| Annual Salary | $223,500 (as Speaker of the House) |
| Previous Salary | $174,000 (as a member of Congress) |
| Income from Teaching | Approximately $30,000 (from Liberty University) |
| Primary Asset | Home in Benton, Louisiana valued between $500,000 and $600,000 |
Company Details and Investments
Unlike many members of Congress, Mike Johnson does not have significant business interests or investments outside of his political career. His financial disclosures have not revealed substantial stock holdings or company ownership stakes.
Kamala Harris & Tim Walz have failed the American people on the economy, the border crisis, and crime.
In Minneapolis today, I was joined by Minnesota leaders at the site of 2020 riots to expose their records.
Here, Walz let Minnesota burn while Harris poured gas on the flames. pic.twitter.com/t2PENaZX0e
— Mike Johnson (@MikeJohnson) August 25, 2024
Johnson’s primary asset appears to be his home in Benton, Louisiana. He has not reported any significant real estate investments beyond this primary residence.
Investment and Funding
As a member of Congress and now as Speaker, Johnson has shaped the federal budget and spending priorities. However, he has not been personally involved in significant investment or funding initiatives in the private sector.
Johnson has received financial support from various conservative and religious organizations in his political career. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was reported to be his largest financial donor in 2023.
Contact Details and Social Network Handles
As Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson maintains an official government website at speaker.gov. His congressional office can be reached at:
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Website | speaker.gov |
| Office Address | 2459 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 |
| Phone | (202) 225-2777 |
| @SpeakerJohnson | |
| SpeakerMikeJohnson | |
| @speakermikejohnson |
Conclusion
Mike Johnson’s rise from a small-town Louisiana lawyer to Speaker of the House has been meteoric. His deeply held religious convictions and conservative principles have made him a polarizing figure in national politics.
As he navigates the challenges of leading a fractious Republican majority in the House, Johnson’s actions will have significant implications for American policy and politics in the coming years.
Whether he can maintain unity within his party while addressing pressing national issues remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that Mike Johnson has become one of the most influential figures in Washington almost overnight.