In advance, no Republicans had spoken out against the candidacy of Johnson, a 51-year-old representative from the state of Louisiana. Yet it was not entirely certain whether he would receive sufficient support within his own party, because not everyone’s position was known. Republicans have a slim majority in the House, so Johnson’s margin of victory was small.
The Speaker of the House holds a powerful position in American politics. He has great influence on the political process and is also second in the line of succession after the vice president if something happens to the president.
The Democrats had backed their own candidate, Hakeem Jeffries. He received the support of 209 delegates, against 220 votes for Johnson.