House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) recently announced he would support Ohio state Rep. Derek Merrin (R) in his bid to become the candidate for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. Merrin is running against J.R. Majewski, an Air Force combat veteran endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Johnson said, “Derek is a proven conservative and demonstrated leader with a backbone who will prioritize economic growth, safer communities, and America First policies. He has what it takes to turn OH-09 red and grow our Republican majority in Congress.”
Merrin reacted to Johnson’s statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “I’m honored to have the support of Speaker @MikeJohnson. We will expand the Republican majority with NW Ohio delivering a mandate to uphold the Constitution, Balance the Budget, Secure our Border, Protect the US Dollar from further devaluation & enact congressional term limits.”
“Let’s take back America,” Merrin added.
I’m honored to have the support of Speaker @MikeJohnson. We will expand the Republican majority with NW Ohio delivering a mandate to uphold the Constitution, Balance the Budget, Secure our Border, Protect the US Dollar from further devaluation & enact congressional term-limits.… pic.twitter.com/MhM64u9G6F
— Derek Merrin (@DerekMerrin) January 25, 2024
Johnson’s endorsement comes after establishment Republicans replaced former Ohio state Rep. Craig Riedel (R) with Merrin as their preferred candidate in the race for The Buckeye State’s 9th Congressional District.
Riedel, who criticized Trump in a recorded phone call, was ousted as a candidate after being accused of being in a relationship with former Ohio state Sen. Wes Goodman (R), an adulterer, according to the Gateway Pundit.
Unlike Johnson, Reps. Cory Mills (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Eli Crane (R-AZ), J.D Vance (R-OH) and Bob Good (R-VA) have endorsed Majewski.
Merrin, Riedel, and Majewski were all asked at a recent candidate forum whether they would support the former president’s bid for the White House. In response, Majewski was the only person on stage who said he would back Trump.
Many conservatives have expressed disappointment with Johnson’s tenure as House speaker thus far.
Johnson arose to the challenge of becoming speaker of the House after former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R) was ousted from the position following the initiation of the “motion to vacate.”
The Gateway Pundit pointed out that Johnson has been unable to enact policies tackling illegal immigration at the southern border and blocked legislation to reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to bar the agency from spying on Americans.
The outlet added that Johnson pandered to House Democrats by passing a nearly $1.6 trillion spending package for 2024, applauded by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
